The Minot Flood
 

The flood here is more devastating than anyone can imagine. What was once a thriving economy with little unemployment now has around 12,000 people homeless and displaced and many people out of work. Some on the outer edges of the flood plain have been allowed to see their homes to find the walls crawling with mold, walls, floors and ceilings buckled. Lots of mud and sewage in the homes and a terrible stink. The boulevards are lined with garbage as they empty their homes of what was left behind and begin to gut them. They have to take them down to the frame. So many will be just walking away from their homes. I saw a friends house today and her beautiful bay window that she just got a year ago is broken out and when the flood was at it’s highest, it was a foot from her ceiling. She is walking away. Her home is paid for, but she took out a $17,000 loan a year ago for new siding, windows and doors. Today the water is still covering her front steps. That is only one friend…I have so many other friends in the same shape as her. These are not just flooded homes…each home has a story…a family…memories. Some have lived in their homes all their lives and are now elderly. This is so gut wrenching, heart breaking. I don’t know what these people will do. Fema is bringing in trailers for temporary housing, but they don’t have much time before winter will be upon us. We already had a housing shortage here before the flood due to an oil boom and so many people moving here. Besides the thousands of homes flooded, there are so many churches, schools, businesses, parks, the zoo, and even the state fair grounds. As of today, they have cancelled the state fair…first time in history. The hospital was even going to close down, but managed to get a water purifying system which looks like a huge mattress in the near by street.

Our water still has to be boiled and as funny as it sounds, we need to conserve water, so we cannot wash cars, water lawn, etc. There are many water main breaks under the flooded water. We can take short showers as long as we have no open sores on our body and must keep mouths shut in the shower.

I’m going to post a picture of the house I lived in for over 20 years and how high the water was on it. I also am going to post a couple of videos. One is of the animal shelter where there are 500 animals being cared for. They need volunteers for cleaning cages and walking dogs, which I haven’t done yet, as it’s on the other side of town. It was taking up to 2-3 hours to get from one side to the other…which normally took about 10 – 15 minutes. My hubby is also having many health problems so taking a trip across town would take half the day and I hate to leave him or the dogs.

Tomorrow I am hoping to bathe the girls. I won’t bathe them in contaminated water, so have to use boiled. They won’t get rinsed as well as usual and will all use the same bath water, but they are in such need of a bath.

Http://WWW.youtube.Com/watch?v=QXQHo...ature=youtu.be


Not sure why the other video didn't show up, so you'll have to click on the link at the top of this post.

I cannot imagine the suffering that the people in your community are going through as the flood waters recede. Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers.

The picture of your old house is so very sad - water almost up to the ceiling.

The video brought tears to my eyes. Very heart warming that there are volunteers taking care of the homeless pets.

Just wanted to send cyber hugs and positive thoughts to you and all.....

Connie, I can't believe that pic of your old house :(! Your current house is 'okay' though (I mean, relatively)? I realize even if the house is okay, you're dealing w/ so much more. Please keep us posted, and know you're in my thoughts. Just devastating.

It is so sad what has happened to the city and all the people. I pray for you all everyday... for all the folks affected by the weather and fire issues this country is having and has had this year. Good luck with FEMA.

Oh Connie, I am so sorry for you and all the people in your area. How sad for all of you. :( Prayers, prayers, and more prayers are needed for all of you.

Connie, you and your whole community are in my thoughts and prayers. What sadness! My heart breaks for everyone there and for the pets in the shelter.

Connie you and your family and pets are in my prayers. This has to be so devastating for so many people. We had this happen in Georgia 2 years ago and they are just having to tear down some of the houses now. We totally lost one of schools and after 2 years they are started to rebuild. Thankful there are good people there to help their friends and all the pets that are homeless.

My dear friend I know how devastating this is to all the people of Minot. You have helped so many of your friends even with all you are dealing with DH's health. Minot is in my prayers and I hope that some fundraising gets started to help them out. It seems like it is not in the national news and many have forgotten the long term effect this will have on Minot and all it's residents. Hugs

I know all to well what your area is going through. Keep the faith....things WILL get better! I haven't read of any loss of life due to the flood (hope that's the case), and that's something to be thankful for. Dealing with the destruction is terrible, but things can be replaced, though some things will never be the same. It's hard to find good in something like this, but one thing I've seen is that disasters such as this can bring out the best in people. That can be a silver lining in a large dark cloud. When we've lost so much, it's important to remember what we still have.

Prayers for better days for you and all the folks in your area.

This is so tragic. I'm so sorry for everyone floods and natural disasters have touched lately. It's just so crazy.
My thoughts are with you, your friends and your hometown.