It’s nearly over. The Red River has crested and the waters are slowly receding. Fargo and Moorhead and the other communities along its banks can breathe a sigh of relief. In Jamestown, North Dakota the US Army Corps of Engineers has suspended building of the levee system, noting lower than predicted run off. If the dikes and sandbags hold and barring a major snow or rainstorm in the area, the water levels should continue to go down.
With a grin Steve Carbno, The Salvation Army’s Deputy Incident Commander, said that he feels a little cheated. “We planned to a level that we never got to.” But that’s a good thing. “We learned a lot of lessons in last years flooding that we were able to put into practice this year. Our response to this year’s flooding was very efficient.”
It was a great effort from all of our volunteers, employees and the Salvation Army officers who came into the area from across the Northern Division. Captain Bill Mealy, Corps Officer of the Salvation Army in Fargo credited them for their hard work. “I’m not sure how I would have made it through this without each of you.”
In addition to the flood Captain Mealy and his wife, Captain Ann Mealy have been dealing with some personal difficulties. Captain Bill is recovering from a surgical procedure on his leg and in the midst of the flood efforts their daughter was taken to the hospital for an emergency operation. “This would have been too much for me, alone,” said Captain Mealy.
As the waters continue to dissipate and things begin returning to normal The Salvation Army will continue to serve the physical and spiritual needs of the people of these areas, ministering to them and serving them in the name of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment