Disaster Recovery News

The year 2009 was one of record-setting devastation for those near the Red River in North Dakota. Since then, the city of Fargo has purchased 50 properties in an attempt to protect the city from flooding without the need to use sandbags. However, homeowner John Stern will not budge.

Dream Home

Stern purchased his dream home over 25 years ago—a 1,800 square foot property along the Red River designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Stern told the Associated Press in an interview that his home is like a tree house because of its placement among the trees and the unique architectural twists and turns that allow for fantastic river views. The city of Fargo is trying to purchase Stern’s home, along with 14 others.

In 1997, Stern unsuccessfully used 11 electric pumps in an attempt to keep floodwaters away from his home. Following the disaster, he built a clay dike. In 2009, Stern fortified his levee with sandbags. In addition to purchasing flood insurance, some of Stern’s neighbors invested thousands of dollars to raise the foundations of their homes to protect them from flood damage.

Flood Predictions and Fears

Pat Zavoral, a Fargo city official, states the National Weather service predicts there is a 70 percent chance that the river will crest this spring at a level higher than it did during the fall of 2010. The city’s buyout option is voluntary, and residents are warned that the city may lack funds if they dwell on the decision to sell their homes for too long. Fargo city officials state that homes on their buyout list are in danger of continual water damage from floods even if they divert the Red River, especially if they experience a “500-year flood event.” Residents on the buyout list feel pressured to sell and fear their homes will suffer a loss in value by being placed on the buyout list. Regardless, the city of Fargo will continue to help homeowners place sandbags around their properties to protect their riverside homes.

Learn more about recovering from a flood.

[photo: Adam Quartarolo]

Residents of Fargo, South Dakota are battling the Red River once again as it has reached the critical stage of a “major flood” today. As of 7:00 a.m., the river was 12-feet above flood stage at 30.34 feet, according to CNN. Waters are expected to get as high as 38 feet over the weekend.

Major Flood Stage

The term, “major flood stage,” was developed by the National Weather Service to describe floods whose waters have covered roads and buildings. When waters reach this stage possessions should be elevated, such as to the 2^nd-story of a house, and residents should be prepare for an evacuation.

The recent flood was caused by the recent warm weather and rain melting snow, causing the Red River to swell in the Fargo area. There are still patches of ice and snow that have yet to melt.

More on the Red River flood.

What to do to Prepare for a Flood

One of the most important things to do before a storm is to have a plan: have a plan for your business, and have a plan for your home. This plan should include directions on where items should be stored to protect them from flood waters, preparing an emergency disaster kit that’s ready to go should there be an evacuation, and having a list of important phone numbers so you can reach family members, schools, insurance agents, etc. Being prepared will aid in business continuity and getting things back to normal afterwards.

What to do After a Flood

Do not go into a building to assess the damage unless an expert has said it is safe to do so. Call your insurance company to file a claim if you have flood insurance. Begin restoring wet items before mold can cause damage by placing them out to dry and calling a flood restoration specialist. Many items like documents, books and photographs can be dried and restored after a storm with the help of specialist as well.

More on recovering from a flood.