Minot, ND

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I had a busy week. The 'mouse' river flooded in Minot, ND and I was sent to record it. In six days I worked 94 hours and averaged less than 4 hours of sleep. While it was difficult and tiring, at the end of it, I got to go home. The people of Minot will be dealing with this for years.

173 - On the long drive to Minot. We finally drove west of the weather front and into the sunshine.

174 - Thursday, early morning. Come Saturday morning these train tracks will be covered in water. That's the river in the distance.

175 - This woman is sleeping in a tent. Her house is in this neighborhood. This was taken in the parking lot of Longfellow Elementary. We could see the water rise in the two hours we were there.

176 - 6th St SW, by the library. Those posts sticking out of the water are part of a fence for the train bridge. What was it like before? Well.... Look at this.

177 - Sunday morning. The river has crested at 1561.72 feet. This is 12.72 feet above flood stage and 3.72 feet above the previous record set in 1881. It will stay about 1560 feet about three days. I crossed over this bridge on Friday morning and by that afternoon it was impassable.

178 - Starting to recede though it will be weeks before people will get back to see their homes. It will be months, perhaps a year or more before some can move back in.

I wish I could easily express the experience I had in Minot this past week, but it is too complex. It was awesome, in the true sense of the word. I am amazed at the people who lost everything and yet are able to look forward. A few said they were grateful. They're grateful to be reminded about what is truly important in life. This town has banded together and they are strong.