Lindsey Weber after the North Dakota snowfall. Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Ryan.

It’s Tuesday, April 7, 2009, and I am glad to report I am back safely from my deployment to Fargo, North Dakota. I was a little confused watching the snow flurries yesterday, but since they weren’t blizzard-size flakes, I knew I was indeed home (not to mention that everyone dressed in Cardinal attire-myself included- pretty much gave it away).

 

Throughout the remainder of last week, the Red River levels continued to recede. The snow fell and while it dirtied the streets and made travel nearly impossible, it posed no immediate threat to the levees and floodwater, which was the original concern. It’s not everyday that it floods and blizzards in the same season, let alone the same week. So once it was confirmed that the snow wasn’t affecting the levees, much of North Dakota and Minnesota released a collective, yet cautiously optimistic, sigh of relief. The snow may not be a problem today or tomorrow, but it would melt and the Red River Valley community would have to be prepared.

 

So while no one is out of the water yet (both figuratively and literally), the situation has improved considerably, allowing the Red Cross disaster response operation to transition relief efforts back to the Minn-Kota Chapter of the American Red Cross in Fargo. The chapter will help residents get back to their normal lives by providing all of the necessary resources like free clean-up kits and counseling to those affected by the disaster. And if in fact the river crests again as predicted, Red River Valley Residents can be assured that their new Red Cross family of volunteers from all across the United State are back home, well rested, and ready to return at a moment’s notice.

 

When I think back on my trip to Fargo the word community comes to mind. Whether it was the cohesive community the Red Cross formed upon arrival, the unfaltering Fargo/Moorhead community that sandbagged day and night to protect their homes and lives, the small and unselfish community of Jamestown that pooled their resources (including prison inmates), or all of the communities that I may not have seen but certainly felt…community is the unwavering force that helps triumph over disasters each and every time. And if that’s something you want to be a part of, join the Red Cross community today.

 

Below are my photos from Fargo and Jamestown, but for more content including videos, photos, and audio, check out the Red Cross Disaster Online Newsroom at http://newsroom.redcross.org/.

 

Until next time,

 

Lindsey