Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Ann Arbor Miller
Fargo, N.D.

Photos: Fargo's 'Sandbag Central' volunteers reflect on flood fight

Isaac Samuelson
Isaac Samuelson, 14, of Horace, N.D., was one of 4,103 middle and high schools students who volunteered to make sandbags at Sandbag Central in 2013. "I just think it's fun," said the eighth-grader, who missed two days of school to volunteer. Samuelson's house is protected from Sheyenne River flooding thanks to a permanent diversion channel.
Ann Arbor Miller for MPR

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Certainties are few when it comes to springtime in the Red River Valley. While the rising Red River will make history for latest crest, the official crest forecast for the Red at Fargo-Moorhead is 34 feet — quite a bit lower than previous forecasts which had prompted flood fighters to stockpile 1.7 million sandbags.

More than 8,350 volunteers put in 43,971 hours over 16 days at Fargo's Sandbag Central to churn out those sandbags. Photographer Ann Arbor Miller asked volunteers working at Sandbag Central last week for their insight on flood season. Volunteers wrote their thoughts on an empty sandbag with a black marker.

Gallery
11 of 11
Dan Johnston
Dan Johnston, 63, of Fargo, N.D., was a daily presence at Sandbag Central and most often found near a table piled high with empty sandbags. Ask him about the flood and he'll tell you what he tells everyone, "Have a happy flood." Ask him why he volunteers and he'll give you two different answers: "It beats staying at home and arguing with the wife," and "It's just something you need to do in a community."
Ann Arbor Miller for MPR
1 of 11
Dwight Nettleton
Dwight Nettleton, 55, of Fargo, N.D., is a longtime Fargo resident and a dedicated Sandbag Central volunteer. During the 2011 flood event, Nettleton volunteered for 23 days. This year he was putting in eight- to nine-hour days, and had 12 days under his belt as of April 23, 2013. "It makes you feel good," he said.
Ann Arbor Miller for MPR
2 of 11
Kay Braun
Ask Kay Braun how many days she has put in volunteering during the 2013 flood event and she says she simply doesn't know. Ask her why she volunteers and she says, "My husband says I do it so I don't worry." The 59-year-old Fargo, N.D., resident lives across the street from the Red River. "I don't think people realize how far the water would go without dike protection," Braun said.
Ann Arbor Miller for MPR