"It's Time to Take This Thing Seriously"; Fargo Needs Your Help

While I've given Grand Forks most of the attention regarding this year's flood, it appears that Fargo will be hit much harder. The weather is not cooperating with moderate to heavy precipitation forecast to linger all week. The Red River is currently at 25.71 feet in Fargo, which falls in the designated "Moderate Stage." The highest level ever recorded at Fargo-Moorhead was 40.1 feet in 1897; that record could be broken very soon. The new flood outlook states that the Red River could reach as high as 39-41 feet by as early as Friday.

“Volunteers – it’s time to take this thing seriously,”Fargo mayor Dennis Walaker pleaded at a press conference today to discuss the flood. There's still a lot of work to be done, and they need all the help they can get. So if you're reading this and you want to help make a difference, get to Fargo and start sandbagging.

The University of North Dakota has sent out a mass e-mail encouraging students to help with sandbagging efforts as well:

Statement from UND President Robert Kelley On Students Helping Sandbag in Fargo:

I am gratified -- and not at all surprised -- that our students are eager to volunteer to assist our neighbors in Fargo in their flood preparation efforts. Such concern for others is a hallmark of the University of North Dakota community.

Grand Forks and the UND campus are expected to be able to function effectively and safely as we look ahead. We can help to make a difference in protecting Fargo.

Student volunteer efforts are being coordinated by the Student Government Association, working with the authorities in Fargo. Students wishing to volunteer need to go to the Office of Student Government in the Memorial Union to sign in and to sign a release form. Student Government is coordinating transportation to Fargo.

Students wishing to volunteer should contact faculty members in advance if classes would be missed. Faculty members are encouraged to be supportive of students' volunteer efforts. Verification of volunteer work will be available from the Student Government Association.

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There's a bus that leaves at 1 and a bus that leaves at 5. I'll be one of them. I couldn't ask all of you to get out there without volunteering myself could I? All kidding aside, Fargo needs our help..so let's get to it.


I would love to hear any stories about volunteer efforts, send in your stories to touringgrandforks@gmail.com . I would also love to see ANY flood related pictures, send them into me and I'll give you full credit. Especially any Fargo-Moorhead area readers out there.

A quick Grand Forks update, we are currently at 31.33 feet, which falls in the "Flood Stage" according to the National Weather Service. We are forecast to hit 50.9 feet by the end of this weekend, as always I will keep you posted.

So throw on some work clothes and get to Fargo, they really do need our help.