Fargo, North Dakota, Seeks Volunteers for Projected Flood

City of Fargo mayor Dennis Walaker declared a local flood disaster on January 18, 2011 but the call for volunteers to help fight the Red River won't start until February 14, 2011. City staff hopes to fill three million sandbags in thirty days in preparation for the projected third major flood in three years, an ambitious goal official hope an early start will help them to meet.

Sandbag production will start this year on Valentine's Day and run from 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Saturday, until the target has been met or the river has crested, whichever comes first. The National Weather Service has predicted a 20-25% chance of the Red River reaching or exceeding the record flood level set in 2009. These projections are based in part on precipitation during the fall of 2010 and the existing snow pack, both of which came in well above average.

To encourage volunteers, the City of Fargo will continue its "Denny's Bucks for Bags" program that offers a cash incentive for non-profit organizations to recruit volunteers. Charities must register with the city and confirm their not-for-profit designation before any funds will be donated.

In addition, the city and the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber of Commerce are encouraging businesses to release employees during the work day to fill sandbags. Volunteers may designate a business or non-profit on the consent form required for each shift worked. Companies whose employees donate the largest number of hours will be publicly recognized by the city.

If you wish to volunteer your time, you may fill out the consent form and catch a shuttle at the Fargo Coliseum, 807 17 Avenue North, or the JC Penney's wing of the West Acres Mall, 3902 13 Avenue South. North Dakota State University students may also register and take shuttles at the west door of the Memorial Union building, 1401 Administration Avenue.

Buses will run every fifteen minutes from these collection sites to what has affectionately come to be known as Sandbag Central, the building that normally houses equipment for the city's garbage trucks when they are not in use. The City of Fargo asks that volunteers not come directly to that building as parking on-site and on nearby streets is limited.

Neighboring communities and states gave generously of their time in 2009 and 2010, coming from as far away as Canada and Wisconsin to fill sandbags. Local and national companies also donated equipment to help move sand and supplies. City officials have expressed concern that volunteer burnout may set in and that this year's response will be much lower as they request help for the third year in a row. Those fears stem in part from the much more organized response and four-foot-lower Red River flood crest in 2010 during which the urgency of the 2009 fight was notably absent.

"People got caught up in being part of something big in 2009. Our volunteers were on the national news every night," said one staff member. "But Fargo would rather see a slow and planned fight than a frantic rush to fill the gaps. It may not be exciting but it works better."

If you have questions about volunteering to help Fargo fight the 2011 flood, call FirstLink at 701-476-4000 or check the City of Fargo flood information web site.