Well the powers that be should have listened to the folks in North Dakota. Water levels are #2 in the past 100 years. Most of our communities from the US border are cut off and all though we do have ground operations still, we are using Helicopters to do alot of our transports. I have been on the Air team last few days but I'm redeployed to ground Operations tomorrow.
Some Pics;
Emerson Boarder Cross Just North of Grand Forks:
Looking Back SE towards Morris. About 3000 ppl cut off. In 97 they where evac'd. With the forecast this year they where not. Bad move.
Some Farm Yrds:
We are Stationed at Winnipeg Airport:
Some our Provincial Water Bombers. All 3 Help out in Cali this past year with brush fires:
Our Ride Eurocopter BK117:
My crew. We fly with 2 pilots a Flight Nurse and 2 medics.
Inside with some of our Gear.
Me enroute to a Call:
Well back on the ground for the next few days. Spent alot of time out with locals making sure they knew we did have plans on how to help them. Some of these ppl are boating up to 10 miles to their properties. It may look benign, but flood water is incredibly dangerous. One it is right at about 33F temp, with everything from stumps to full trees, gas tanks and you name it.
Most ppl are into about their 10th to 12th day doing this, and as most are standing up alright the stress is getting to them. I did not take any picture when locals where around as I felt that would not be a good impression to give.
Starting into the Flooded area:
One of the last Bridges still passable from North Dakota to Winnipeg:
End of the Road for most. Vehicles and boats meet up in this area to go out to surrounding yard sites. Their are 25 to 30 of these areas from the US border to Winnipeg.
Some folks that where not that lucking and flooded out. Tape on the building marks that it has searched.
Boat use to get back a yard.
About 16 inches of water to go through on the east side if we loose this significant amount of area will be by air only.
