(Top)
The flood-threatened Main Street Bridge between Wahpeton, N.D., and Breckenridge, Minn., photographed during a North Dakota Wing flight carried out for Wahpeton citiy officials.
(Middle)
Flooded farmland near Amenia, N.D.
(Bottom)
Civil Air Patrol members fill sandbags at KFGO-AM in Fargo.
Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft
Public Affairs Officer
North Dakota Wing
NORTH DAKOTA -- The number of members from the North Dakota and Minnesota wings helping fight flooding in the Fargo vicinity swelled past 100 on March 24 as the Red River continued to overflow its banks and threaten lives and property.
Members from the two wings were filling sand bags and positioning them to prevent damage to homes and critical community assets, while aircrews were able to provide limited images of some of the flooded areas for emergency management officials.
Additional Minnesota Wing members were expected during the day. The South Dakota Wing tried to send members as well, but they were unable to reach the command post because Interstate 29 -- like many other roads in the area -- was underwater and impassable.
A North Dakota Wing aircrew took digital photos for Wahpeton officials showing their city and downtown Breckenridge, Minn. The lone bridge connecting the Wahpeton and Breckenridge is threatened by the Red River, forecast to crest March 24.
The photos were taken by Col. Karl Altenburg, wing commander. Lt. Col. John Steiner, wing emergency services officer, and Maj. Chad Smith of the Red River Valley Senior Squadron completed the aircrew.
In the meantime, the command post had gone to 24-hour operations, with Col. Walt Vollmers and Lt. Col. Mike Provencher -- incident commander and deputy incident commander, respectively -- of wing headquarters handling the night shift with minimal sleep. They worked to arrange for lodging and Red Cross cots for the members. The last team retired to sleep at 5:30 a.m., as some teams slept while others were in the field.
Regular updates and photos from the relief efforts can be found on the North Central Region Web site.