Residents Keep Eye Out for More Red River Threat

By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Residents near the Red River are remaining alert despite receding water levels from last week's flooding.

A snowstorm that began Monday and continued into Tuesday has kept residents in Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn., on edge as they watch for possible leaks or breaches in sandbag levees. The blizzard threatened to create waves that could pound the patchwork levee system protecting the communities.

"Half a dozen homes of people in Grace United Methodist Church (in Moorhead, Minn.) are in imminent danger if a levee were to fail," the Rev. Craig Haberman, Grace's pastor, told his North Star District superintendent, the Rev. Alan Bolte, according to the United Methodist News Service. "Members in our congregation affected are evacuating either out of town or to homes on higher ground here in Fargo/Moorhead."

As of early Tuesday, all the levees seem to be holding, according to The Associated Press.

The swollen river fell to 38 feet on Tuesday, more than 2 feet below its peak, and is expected to fall to 36 feet by Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service warned, however, that when the newly fallen snow begins melting, the Red River may have a second crest at 37 feet in mid-April.

Fargo and Moorhead have built their flood protection to 43 feet.

The Red River swelled to 40.32 feet, more than 22 feet above flood stage, last Friday. The severe flooding has left more than 300 homes damaged and hundreds of families displaced.

Convoy of Hope Disaster Response personnel are on the ground in partnership with local churches and government organizations to determine the most effective means to help serve the city.

A total of 40,000 pounds in disaster supplies – such as water, food, cleaning supplies, and flood buckets – was scheduled to arrive in Fargo on Tuesday, Convoy of Hope reported. Distribution will begin as soon as weather allows, the non-profit ministry affiliated with the Assemblies of God said.

On Sunday, First Assembly of God in Fargo drew hundreds of attendees. Many were encouraged during the worship service and also prayed for those who lost their homes, as reported by the Assemblies of God news service.

Some registered their homes to temporarily house flood victims.

"We want to give more affirmation for what Jesus can do as people rebuild their lives," said Pastor Bob Ona of the Fargo church.