Libraries Closed, But So Far Safe as Red River Flood Crests

Andrew Albanese -- Library Journal, 04/01/2009

The good news so far is that the Red River has retreated slightly in the last 24 hours, and a wintry storm that hit the Fargo, ND, region has not weakened sandbag dikes and levees, as officials feared. Floodwaters this week remain over 40 feet, more than 20 feet above the flood point to levels not seen in some 100 years, and the threat of more serious flooding has left libraries in the region closed, as those nearest to the flood plain have been urged to evacuate. Officials in Moorhead, MN, which borders Fargo, ND, have urged roughly a quarter of its 35,000 residents to evacuate. 

Although Fargo officials remain wary of the flood’s potential to worsen, it appears libraries and their collections in the region are safe for now. Nevertheless, according to the North Dakota State University (NDSU) library web site “in order to allow faculty, staff and students to attend to any flood issues they are facing, and to allow other members of the community to continue to volunteer,” the library has closed until April 6. “This is not an evacuation,” the message stressed. “NDSU remains in a safe area in Fargo.” The Fargo Public Library, has cancelled programming until April 3.

With the levees in Fargo sandbagged up to 42 feet—and with workers attempting to raise the levees to 44 feet, a massive sandbagging effort, centered at the Fargodome, is said to be winding down. Forecasters say 43 feet is the “worst case scenario” for the river.

Read more Newswire stories:

U.K. Reports Say Springer Is On the Block

Final Numbers in, ACRL Official Say 14th National Conference Was a Record-Breaker

Introducing New LJAN Column, From the Bell Tower

People