The sandbag levee removal quotes were awarded to Master Construction who will begin work on or about Monday, May 2^nd.  Work hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.  

The City will not reimburse homeowners for restoration of areas where sandbags were placed for the flood event or restoration costs associated with sandbag removal. 

If property owners choose not to participate in the sandbag removal assistance program, the City requests that sandbags be placed in the street, leaving the gutter near the curb unobstructed.  City crews will not pick-up bags placed on the boulevard. All sandbags must be removed by May 31, 2011. Bag pick-up after that date will be charged to the property owner in accordance with the City’s fee schedule.

If you have any questions regarding sandbag removal, please contact the Engineering Department at 218-299-5390.

The Minnesota National Guard, in conjunction with local public safety agencies, will conduct a flood response training exercise on Monday, April 11^th in south Moorhead.

The Minnesota National Guard’s “Quick Response Force” (QRF) will be practicing sandbag deployment techniques that will improve future flood response in Moorhead and other Red River Valley communities.  Approximately 2,500 sandbags will be placed by National Guard personnel between an existing clay levee located on 40^th Ave. S. and higher ground immediately adjacent to the levee.  This exercise will reinforce the existing clay levee with additional sandbag protection.

The training exercise will begin between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on 40^th Ave. S. between Rivershore Drive and Oak Circle South and will conclude by noon.  40^th Ave. S. will remain open to traffic through the duration of the training exercise.  Disruption to neighboring residential areas will be minimal.

The City of Moorhead has completed its sandbagging efforts in advance of the river crest expected this weekend.

This Weekend:

• The Volunteer Center at MSU Moorhead will close at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 8^th.
•  Citizens can call 218-299-5300 at any time with their flood related questions.
•  Zone leaders will be in the zones and available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
•  City Engineering staff and contractors will be conducting survey work in homeowners backyards along the river corridor throughout the weekend.

 Important Reminders:

• Monitor sandbag dikes! Residents must monitor sandbag dikes throughout the day and night until flood waters recede. Please contact the Emergency Operations Center at 218-299-5255 if any of the following are observed:
  • Seepage – Water pooling; pumping may be needed
  • Leak – Small steady flow
  • Knock Down – Rebuild necessary, limited to the top tier of the dike
  • Breach – Large failure with large flow
•  Redirect sump pump discharge to the outside now.

Volunteers are needed to sandbag in Moorhead!

Volunteers are urgently needed into the evening today and all day tomorrow, Friday April 8^th to complete the final push of sandbagging homes in Moorhead.  Although substantial progress has been made, there is still work to be done. Volunteers are asked to report to the Volunteer Center at MSU Moorhead (17^th Street and 6^th Avenue South) to be dispatched to construct sandbag dikes at various locations throughout the City.

No Parking areas have been designated on numerous streets along the river corridor. Anyone wishing to volunteer is urged to utilize transportation through the Volunteer Center.