McHenry County Residents Battle Flood
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| 4/13/2009 |
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| It`s a nightmare that many residents didn`t want to wake up to. The Souris River rose overnight and is now inching dangerously close to homes in McHenry county. As the river continues to rise, volunteers continue to show up to help sandbag and fight the flood. "It`s been overwhelming, exhausting,” says Jennifer Hildre. The Hildre family worked all day on April 10th building a clay dike along the Souris River and sandbagging around their home. This morning, April 13th, what they woke up to, was astonishing. "It`s come up a couple of feet," says Hildre. The once bubbling creek in front of their home is now a raging river. "I was a little panicked," says Hildre. The Tescher-Johnston residence, started sandbagging last April 9th, to prepare for the possibility for flood water. The river has risen about seven feet since then. "This is amazing I can hardly believe it," says Doug Johnston. It`s a race that sometimes looks impossible to win, but students at Velva School are ready to compete against mother nature. "They said over the intercom this morning that they needed 15 volunteers and I think 50 showed up," says Jaci Norbury, sophomore, Velva. With blisters on many of their hands, students were bussed from the Hildre`s home, to the Johnston`s property, and then over to the Feist residence. "Donney Creek goes right behind our house," says Curt Feist. Curt Feist and his wife Bonnie have lived in their home east of Velva since the 60`s. When neighbors heard the Feists may be in trouble, volunteers with bobcats and bull dozers showed up to help the couple protect their home. "I worked on their farm when I was a kid and I ve seen any thing like this," says Mike Heslier, Velva Fire Chief. Feist not only has to watch out for his home, but he has dozens of farm animals that needed to be taken to higher ground. Thanks students and volunteers, Feist now has one less thing to worry about. "We just appreciate them so much," says Feist. "Velva got a good football team, but this is their best team right here, this is teamwork," says Marv Sola, McHenry County Sheriff. True to the spirit of North Dakota, as the river continues to rise, so will the number of volunteers. Sandbagging continues at homes in the area and they can use your help. |
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