In one of the strangest flood seasons I have ever witnessed, the Red River Valley has been on the rise in Fargo North Dakota despite freezing temperatures.
The peek water level was actually lowered a bit from original estimates last week as the bulging river slowed with weather in the 20's F. Springtime here in the Midwest has been a roller coaster ride of having golf courses open one day, and then snow the next.
I guess what surprises me most is that people are willing to construct homes that are in the flood plane. This type of event happens every few years, and on a massive scale every 10 years.
The river, which usually flows about 4 mph, is running between 12 and 16 mph, said Deputy Mayor Tim Mahoney (web site is down). A number of neighborhoods here and on the Minnesota side of the river remained under evacuation, though federal officials had been pressuring to evacuate the entire city.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Fargo North Dakota Flooding
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9 comments:
that is just wild. I hate to see people lose all they have due to such devastation. Hi Eric how have you been ?
How sad. I live on a hill, but our basement still floods when it rains (no true foundation, rocks only, crazy farmers who built the place). I can't imagine how it would be to lose what you own in a flood. :-(
I can't figure out the willingness to buy/build homes in the area either. My kid is coming home for the week. NDSU has shut down for the next week.
What, though, if that's the only house you could afford?
You might even buy a house in a flood plain, thinking of it as a "starter" house and hoping to have moved on before the next flood, but financial restraints might prevent you from doing so. Or, even if you have the financial capability to move, you might be stuck still if you can't find a buyer for your home.
Then there are those that simply accept the risks. And stay there because other benefits outweigh the risks in their minds.
Don't you think its kinda weird that its the huge massive over priced 7 figure houses that are built in the flood plains?? It seems we poor folk know better.
We have the same problem here. The last couple of years they've taken the flooding issue to court trying to empty the reservoirs early to keep their property from flooding. Of course that doesn't go over well because the farmers need the water! We rely heavily on the snow pack.
When the flood is gone, they think their house is worth more because of the view. I hope they are enjoying the view now. Prime water view. I feel sorry for them but they know there is a history for flooding.
That sucks!
That sucks!
TO DCR,
I am about to buy my first home. Under no circumstances would I plunk my hard-earned money into a home on the flood plain just because it was 'all there is'. My safety and the safety of my children are worth the extra time it would take to find a decent home in a safe area. Nobody is ever, ever, ever forced or coerced into buying one of those homes. There are always options.
Those who choose to invest despite the risks will likely learn from their mistakes the hard way.
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