“Thanks for calling. We are all right and the flood hasn’t affected the City yet. Only those farmlands south and north of the city are immersed under the water.
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Since we moved to Winnipeg in 1973, this is the second time we have experienced the flood from Red River – the first time was in 1997.
Red River flows through the city. With Assiniboine River running East-West, the City is divided into three sectors by these two rivers. By my knowledge, any river on earth running North-South flows from North to South and Red River is the only exception – it flows from South to North, i.e. from US to Canada.
When I turned on the CNN International news on TV while I was visiting Taiwan, I heard the news that Red River was flooding Fargo and the male announcer was saying that:
“…. All those waters coming down from Canada ….”, he sounded like blaming Canada for the flood situation in Fargo. How ignorant that guy was!
* * * * *
In 1997, the Red River water was rising rapidly and it was termed the worst flood of the Century. All the farmlands South of the City were under water and so were many small towns. I even remember that the whole City of Grand Forks was under water and there was a fire in its downtown area as well. The whole city downtown was destroyed.
Our house was separated by a street from the river bank of the Red and the City set up the last offence on the other side of the road – if the water broke through the last 2-feet sandbag wall, then our area would be in huge trouble. I volunteered to fill sandbags for the cross street neighbors who house was close to the riverbanks and was in immediate danger of flooding.
In late 1940's, then Premier, Duff Roblin who ignored strong opposition, ordered to build a floodway to divert the water from Red River starting from south of the City to the East side of the City, then rejoining the Red at the North side of the City. Most citizens criticized him for wasting taxpayers’ money. In 1997, the Floodway saved the City and he was hailed as a hero for his foresight. It was the first time the floodway really showed its power and usefulness.
After that flood, many city officials from US, especially Grand Forks came to tour City’s floodway and were trying to learn if their city could build something similar to it.
From 1997-flood experience, many small towns South of the City erected water-retaining walls or mud dikes, same were many houses in low area, thus this year’s flood didn’t affect the town or houses, but their surrounding areas were still under the water.
The following are some photos showing the flood situation South of the City:
The above is the photo of our street (the one with Cur de Sac) and our house is the 3rd one from the beginning of the street on the left hand side and the Red River is at the top of the picture.
