IAFF Members Displaced by Flooding

April 6, 2009 – Five members of Fargo, ND Local 642 and one member of Moorhead, MN Local 1323 have been displaced due to severe flooding in the region. IAFF 5th District Vice President Joe Conway, Professional Fire Fighters of North Dakota President Ed Grossbauer and Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters President Thomas Thornberg are in contact with affected locals, assessing members’ needs and helping the displaced apply for the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund.

“While there was some significant flooding in the western part of North Dakota, the worst was definitely where the Red River borders Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota,” says Grossbauer. “In addition to helping with the disaster relief application process, we have also offered to help with clean up and other immediate needs.”

Recent above-freezing temperatures in Canada caused a severe amount of snow melt causing the Red and Missouri Rivers to swell well-above flood stage.

IAFF members from across North Dakota and Minnesota helped evacuate citizens and worked to fight back floodwaters by filling and placing sandbags along the borders of the rivers..

“The dedication and professionalism of our members during the flood response is truly something to admire,” says Thornberg. “As I understand it, even the one displaced Moorhead fire fighter worked straight through the disaster.

He adds, “So far, the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters has sent Local 1323 some financial relief and is ready to do more, if needed.”

While waters around the Missouri River have receded, the Red River is still well-above flood stage.

President Barak Obama has declared a federal state of emergency, making federal aid and relief available to the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has warned that there is the possibility that additional northern snow melt could cause the rivers to crest again later this month, resulting in additional flooding.