Flood Devastation Gets Worse In Minot
MINOT, N.D. (WCCO) -- Things couldn't get any worse for the people of Minot, North Dakota.
The city, which is about 10 hours northwest of the Twin Cities, has been devastated by flood waters all week as the Mouse River has overflown its banks.
Thousands of people have been evacuated, and many of them have lost their homes. Some have lost everything.
Residents in the nearby town of Sawyer had to immediately evacuate because of flooding.
A levee along the river is on the verge of breaking, and if that happens, city officials said it could cause even more devastation.
"If we lose any part of that, we lose all of northeast Minot as well as most of Broadway. It would be devastating, and it's what we just can't allow to happen," said Minot Mayor Curt Zimbleman. "We're doing everything we can to avoid that."
Zimbleman said if the levee breaks, it's the absolute worst-case scenario for the city.
To alleviate the pressure on the levee, it takes a tank, two divers, an excavator, three bulldozers and four airboats.
The group worked for seven hours, but thunderstorms forced them to stop. By the time the weather cleared, the group was able to alleviate some pressure on the bridge.
The next step in the fight to save the city will be made Sunday morning.
You can help out families dealing with the flooding in Minot, by just picking up your cell phone. Text "MINOT" to 8-0-8-8-8 to donate ten dollars to the Salvation Army's relief efforts.
