City officials say Fargo is in better shape for flooding this year

There's a feeling of confidence around this table. A group of leaders who know what was accomplished last year, and feel they're ready for whatever comes our way.

“I can't buy in to the panic mode, yet.”

Since last spring's record flood, area leaders have been working to perfect plans, like ordering extra materials that they know may run out. This year, other areas around the country are expecting flooding, so leaders are getting a jump-start, ordering extra heskos and sandbags.

“We've already placed, gotten the codes to place the order and we'll have that delivered beforehand so we're not competing with others when we need those materials.”

Engineers are also developing plans to put up earthen levees at key areas around town, to minimize the number of sandbags and heskos needed. They'll start that project soon, first in low lying neighborhoods next to the river or a drain.

“You need to get started at a river stage of just over 20 feet. If you don't get going by then, you don't have the opportunity to place earth levees.

Fargo's water supply should also be in better shape. Critical valves are being identified and checked, so workers know which ones should be shut off if an area if flooded, that way the rest of the city can still have water.

“We've gotten on those, those that need attention and repair, cleaning, or whatever. We've started working on them.”

No one knows how high the Red will get this spring, but leaders are preparing for a crest of 40 feet. That's why all of these improvements are necessary, to be ready if the worst hits.

The National Weather Service will put out another flood outlook tomorrow morning. Fargo Superintendent Rick Buresh also told city leaders today that if they need to dig up school land for clay dikes, they can use whatever they need to protect the city.

Tags: your city, christina vaughn, fargo, flood, news