Minot ND. Flooding

Why not Minot, ND. I thought when I was shipped there when I was in the Air Force in the very early 1980's. Even though I was stationed at the air force base, located about 20 miles north of Minot, I stayed downtown as I was a medic at the Base/VA hospital which was located close to downtown. I enjoyed my stay in Minot, especially volunteering with the Minot Rural Fire Department and 2nd Story Social Club for the mentally challenged.
Today, they are facing a huge challenge as flood waters are overtaking the City of Minot and surrounding area.
From the Minot Daily News:
Updated: 1 P.M.
THE SIRENS HAVE SOUNDED IN THE CITY OF MINOT AT 12:57 p.m. EVERYONE IN THE EVACUATION ZONES MUST LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. THE SIRENS MEAN THAT WATER HAS BREACHED THE DIKES IN THE CITY.
The Souris River level at 11 a.m. at the Broadway Bridge was 1,555.3.
First Assembly of God 1805 2nd St SE is now open for RV Parking. You can use their north parking lot, but please call first at 701-838-1111
The Animal shelter need volunteers to walk their dogs. The shifts are from 8am 11am and 3pm 6pm. Please report to the North Central Research Center.
http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/556001/SIRENS-SOUND-IN-MINOT---LEAVE-IMMEDIATELY-FROM-ALL-EVACUATION-ZONES.html?nav=5010
And
Some still call it a flood fight. It isn't.
Minot was a city in full retreat Tuesday. Many Minoters were moving as many possessions as possible out of homes, apartments and businesses through snarled traffic and muddy streets. Others surrendered, resigned to accept whatever emotional pain and physical damage the relentless Souris River chooses to inflict. All indications are it will be substantial.
"What I see right now is probably the most devastating in terms of the number of people directly impacted and what it will do to damage homes as water begins to overtop the levees and fill in behind," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard, during a late Tuesday afternoon press conference at City Hall.
Sprynczynatyk has been involved in flood fighting for 40 years.
"I think this is going to be tough in terms of impact to the community as a whole, for Minot, Ward County and communities all up and down the river," added Sprynczynatyk.
The sheer numbers are staggering: Saskatchewan reservoirs releasing water at a rate of 28,000 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning. Lake Darling to release 15,000 cfs by Thursday morning, with an expected high release rate of 20,000 cfs later in the week. An expected high river level of 1,563 feet at Minot's Broadway Bridge, down slightly from Monday's projected crest.
http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/555997/Minot-residents-evacuate-as-historic-rise-in-Souris-River-approaches.html?nav=5010
Now, not all of the city is being evacuated, but just areas around the Souris River. It doesn't affect Minot AFB, which is home to B-52's, nuclear bombs and Minuteman missile silos.
Areas to be evacuated are here: http://www.minotnd.org/pdf/temp/1562_evacmap.pdf
Rails service by Amtrak is also effected as the Empire Builder, which goes from Chicago to the West Coast via the very Northern United States, has been cut off between Havre MT. and Minneapolis.
So, good luck to Minot and hope everything will turn out for the best.