See also guyermo's
UPDATED: Red-River-Liveblog-I for additional information.
We are all aware of the imminent danger to friends and strangers along the Red River, which runs along the border of North Dakota and Minnesota. It appears that, as of an MSNBC news update at 10:55 EDT, there is a crack in the levee at Fargo. guyermo had posted a diary earlier, BREAKING: EVACUATIONS IN MOORHEAD which has fallen off the recent diary list.
I will use guyermo's links to local information and ask that anyone else who can add to evacuation and emergency info, please comment in this diary.
If you are able to volunteer to pick up a diary after this one, please do so under the first comment. All you have to do is link to this diary if it makes the rec list. Ask that the Mothership diary be rec'd and the child diary not be rec'd.
Please do not post pictures as they slow down the diary for those on dial-up.
Fargo Forum (requires registration)
WDAY out of Fargo
WDAZ out of Grand Forks
Floodcam located in Moorhead -- camera on 7th floor of bank facing across Red River into downtown Fargo
Minnesota Public Radio
North Dakota Department of Emergency Services
Grand Forks Herald Latest headline: "All Patients being evacuated from Meritcare in Fargo."
Top Story: Second Crest may hit Red in GF
The Red River is expected to crest at about 52 feet Monday or Tuesday in Grand Forks.
This is going to be a long haul for these folks.
I'm having a heck of a time finding specific evacuation information and emergency shelters. I could use help as you find them.
Update #1: h/t lineatus -- from the Grand Forks Herald
Sandbag news:
In Grand Forks:
- To help fill sandbags: Report to Sandbag Central at the Grand Forks Public Works Building on North 47th Street just south of Gateway Drive. Until further notice, Sandbag Central will be open 24 hours a day. For more info, call the Flood Hotline at (701) 787-8052.
- To be part of a sandbagging crew: Call (701) 787-8502. Buses will leave from the Alerus Center to go to flooded areas.
- For Grand Forks County residents: If you live in a rural area and need sandbags, call (701) 787-8052. Filled sandbags will be delivered only to those residents with property in imminent danger.
In East Grand Forks:
- Rural Polk County residents: Sandbags available at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 600 Bruce St., Crookston. If you have questions, please call (218) 281-0431.
- East Grand Forks residents: Sandbags available at the Public Works, 1001 Second St. NE. Please call ahead at (218) 399-3456. No sand is available.
The Fargodome and Sandbag Central will be open through the night. Authorities are asking people to get there dikes up to 44 feet in the next 24 to 48 hours, including working through the night if needed. Those needing sand or bags to be brough to their neighborhood should call (701) 241-1545.
Update #2: (12:58 a.m. EDT) City of Fargo Evacuation Plans h/t ArtSchmart.
Update #3: (1:02 a.m. EDT) Evacuations in Riverview Place and Moorhead h/t GlowNZ
Update #4: (1:07 a.m. EDT) National Weather Service (NOAA)
Continuous weather and flood update
Forecast at a Glance
Grand Forks County Home Page
Grand Forks Shelter Information
For any more information regarding this shelter please contact the American Red Cross at 218-773-9565
h/t lineatus
Udate #5: (1:18 a.m. EDT) Moorhead Shelter information
h/t GlowNZ.
Update # 6 (1:33 a.m. EDT): Red Cross Donations
Fargo Red Cross h/t sc kitty
Update # 7 (3:56 a.m. EDT): From the National Weather Service (NOAA) 2:42 a.m. CDT
THE FARGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ISSUING A MANDATORY EVACUATION OF
ALL RESIDENCES EAST OF 4TH STREET SOUTH BETWEEN SOUTH RIVER ROAD
AND LINDENWOOD DRIVE. THERE HAS BEEN A FLOOD PROTECTION BREECH AT
LINDEN AVENUE...EAST OF 4TH STREET SOUTH. DUE TO THE IMMEDIATE
THREAT OF RISING FLOOD WATER...THE CITY OF FARGO IS ORDERING A
MANDATORY EVACUATION.
RESIDENTS OF THIS AREA OF THE CITY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY PROCEED WEST
OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE
PLACE TO STAY MAY SEEK EMERGENCY SHELTER AT FARGO SOUTH CAMPUS II
(AGASSIZ). ADDITIONAL SHELTERS WILL BE DESIGNATED AS NEEDED.
Update #8 (3:40 p.m. EDT) Lateral breaks in Fargo earthen levee. Levee still holding and supported by sandbags and clay. Flood stage still holding just above 40ft in Fargo.
Update #9 (3:51 p.m. EDT) Mandatory Evacuation of Cass County Neighborhoods
Civil Emergency Message from the National Weather Service (NOAA)
THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE NDDOT
AND THE HIGHWAY PATROL.
THE NDDOT AND HIGHWAY PATROL HAVE CLOSED THE EASTBOUND LANES OF
INTERSTATE 94 FROM FARGO TO JAMESTOWN. THE ROAD IS CLOSED AS A
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE TRAVELING PUBLIC DUE
TO A VOLUNTARY EVACUATION OF THE FARGO AREA AND TO PROVIDE
EFFICIENT TRANSFER OF RESOURCES THAT MAY BE NEEDED FOR FLOOD FIGHTING.
While it appears that Federal, State and local emergency systems seem to be working well, if anyone experiences a gap in disaster response and/or assistance, you can contact The Disaster Accountability Project at 866-9-TIP-DAP. h/t Deep Harm.
There is an ice jam around Lisbon which is causing flash flooding. h/t Groucho Marxist.
Update # 10 (4:25 p.m. EDT) Fargo's Republican Mayor Walaker was just interviewed on CNN. He indicated that the coordination among Federal, State and Local agencies is terrific. He was very pleased to have gotten a call from President Obama who wanted to make sure he had everything he needed to secure the city. He also said that, while FEMA's role is usually recovery and assistance after a disaster, Secretary Napolitano had already sent a lead Administrator to the area to begin the process and coordinate with local governments and the State. Oy, what a change.
Update # 11 (6:35 p.m. EDT) CNN is reporting that the Pentagon is sending 15 helicopters, supplies and active duty military to assist the over-stretched National Guard in North Dakota and Minnesota. Wow, pre-emptive help rather than 3 days after a disaster strikes. My head is spinning.
Update # 12 (7:30 p.m. EDT)
Comprehensive evacuation map -- updated h/t guyermo who created this helpful tool
Minnesota road closures h/t bigforkgirl
One more thought. Please send good thoughts to those who will be patrolling the levees: citizens, National Guard, Active Military. The danger of this responsibility cannot be underestimated.
Update # 13 (10:12 EDT)
Fargo re-opened roads -- sandbagging and stacking finished in these areas
Moorhead evacuation zone
guyermo's updated Comprehensive evacuation map -- also updated above. h/t for all links to guyermo.