high waters

The day our parents left Minot, 31 May, the town announced manditory evacuations due to the water level of the river.  We had a record 82 inches of snow last winter so the ground was saturated and the dams north of us had to let out water so they didn't break!  We thankfully were not in the evacuation zone but many of our friends were.  We took our parents to the airport, set up beds in the house, and welcomed our friends, the Ehns, into our home.  Over the next few days we watched the river levels and waited.  The town worked to build up dikes and sandbagged with the help of 900 National Guard personel.  The day before the river crested, Abbey and I went out to take photographs of the river while Matt and Eric helped with the sandbagging efforts.

The water crested at 1555.1 ft above sea level on June 3rd (if I remember correctly) and we were able to contain the water!  Everyone was allowed back in their homes two weeks after the evacuation with the understanding that they may be required to leave again.
.katherine.