As of 11 a.m. today, 1,369 Guardsmen were on duty in Fargo. By the end of today, that total number is expected to exceed 1,900. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from other states have been filtering in during the past two days, including 326 currently on the ground in Fargo from the South Dakota National Guard.
Rapid Response Teams of engineers are prepared to move in and repair any dike problems from 11 staging areas throughout Fargo. Two of those staging areas are “heavy” — with extra engineer equipment, and a third location has an evacuation team available on site. The last 14 hours have been relatively quiet, with no breaches reported.
Two-person teams of Guardsmen are walking every length of dike in Fargo around the clock to watch for problems. Other Guardsmen in Fargo are dispersed throughout town. For instance, 21 are at the City Shop helping to fuel and maintain pumps, others are manning pumps at locations such as Oak Creek and some are supporting the North Dakota Highway Patrol with 13 traffic control points around town.
Air assets are prepared to insert 1-cubic-yard bags of sand should there be a dike breach. 150 bags have been prepositioned at three different locations, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews are currently conducting rehearsals with hoist baskets.
Teams have gone in to evaluate the Sheyenne River ice jams and have considered using demolitions to break up those ice jams. That mission currently is on hold until air temperatures increase enough to ensure the ice won’t refreeze quickly.
Yay National Guard! Such an amazing group of people!
Just wanted to add a thanks to the Minnesota National Guard as well! Awesome job everyone!!
Any word on the integrity of those HESCO units?
Way to go Nat’l Guard! Hooah!!!!
Everything I’ve read about says those HESCO units are great. Because they don’t seal to the ground, you need to do something on the water side of the unit (dirt, sand, sandbag) to make ‘me 100 %, but as long as that’s being done, it’s all good!
Our prayers are with all those who are suffering due to the flooding problem and all those who are endeavering to help solve the problem.
Just wanted to thank all the Guardsmen and women who are here helping us all out!!! Thank you so much!!!
The national guard is a great thing, i want to say thanks to the duluth units for coming over and keeping us as safe as possible!
my son in the Navy was so drawn by the news of the flood and the coverage in California that he is on his way home to help his community and the rest of the reserves of Mn and ND. thanks so much guys and they all make my heart proud of this community and the people who are helping to save our city and the surrounding cities.
You people of the Red River Valley flood zone are a monument to fierce determination, teamwork and the power of community. Bless the National Guard, Navy and other military assistance for their good work. We’re all cheering for you and praying too.
Ellen in Belfast Maine
Thank You National Guard for being there to help. Also thanks to all in Fargo who came out to fight. This is what Community Means!!