Flooding Takes Over Towner Area on KFYR-TV North Dakota's NBC News Leader

Flooding Takes Over Towner Area |

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4/17/2009

Ward County may feel like the flood fight is over, but in McHenry County, it may have just begun.

"The city of Towner is not threatened. The ranchers that live outside of town though could be hit hard," says Marv Sola, McHenry County Sheriff.

Water poured over many roads outside of Towner and one family has already been evacuated.

"Everyone`s kind of realized this is record proportions," says Sola.

One house that could see some major flooding once the river crests is the Wagner residence.

"This house flooded in `76 and `79," says Cliff Hanretty, Chairman, Eaton Flood Irrigation Project.

When the water from the Eaton dam flows into the Souris, the Wagners are going to be in trouble.

"When the Corp was looking at dam there was a foot higher than `76," says Hanretty.

As the Wagners listen to the latest flood forecasts and neighbors who have seen Towner flood before, they decided they needed some extra hands.

"They said it`s supposed to be way more than they`ve ever had," says Dixie Wagner whose residence could flood when river crests.

Down the long country road came the school bus fully loaded with a bunch of unsung heroes who have been sandbagging all week, and a truck loaded with sandbags.

"This is alot easier, bags are a little heavier," says Daniel Syverston, 11th Grade, Towner

Instead of filling the sandbags, these students just had to stack them.

"It`s great, they have good heart and that`s what North Dakota is good at," says Wagner.

After a long day`s work, the Red Cross showed up with water and food, but the Wagner’s won`t rest until they`re sure this man-made dike will be able to hold back a roaring river.

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