Civil Air Patrol members pitch in with filling and positioning sandbags to counter flooding of the Red River in the Fargo, N.D., area.
(Photos by Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft)
Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft
Public Affairs Officer
North Dakota Wing
NORTH DAKOTA – The threat of flooding in the Fargo area drew more than 50 members of the North Dakota and Minnesota wings up to 250 miles to aid in the effort to keep the Red River from overrunning homes, businesses and towns.
Several ground teams have been dispatched to local houses and troubled spots. Once members checked in, they were dispatched within minutes to assist with sandbagging.
Cold and periods of rain today have hampered the ground teams’ efforts, while aircrews had to return home because of poor visibility. More rain is forecast throughout the wek.
One distress call came from Fargo’s KFGO-AM, where staff reported that the transmission tower site was in danger of overland flooding. Losing that signal would take away the local news radio network, which has been broadcasting emergency and flood information not only locally but across North Dakota and Minnesota.
Col. Karl Altenburg, North Dakota Wing commander told his staff that “community leaders have issued an urgent call to mobilize and the Civil Air Patrol has responded.”
“We have brought in air- and ground crews throughout North Dakota and Minnesota and we are going to show the community we are ready to serve them and cater to their needs.”