Dilworth officials urge caution
March 23, 2009
Mayor Keith Coalwell has asked Dilworth residents to restrict their water use to help avoid straining the Moorhead system.
“We’re hooked into Moorhead’s wastewater facility,” he said. “We’re not having any problems right now,” he said Sunday night. “All our pumps are working.”
As the flood forecast gets worse, Moorhead’s Oakport Township is desperately trying prepare. Officials there and in Moorhead have issued pleas for volunteers to help battle possibly the worst flood in the region’s history.
“This is a real panic for all of us,” said Moorhead Mayor Mark Voxland.
Although sand baggers were busy in both Moorhead and Oakport on Sunday, officials said volunteers are still very much needed.
“I wish it was only urgent. It’s worse than that,” said Oakport board chairman Greg Anderson.
Clay County Sheriff Bill Bergquist reported that approximately 30 roads in the county were closed Sunday because they were in danger of washing out.
Sheriff Berquist warned that no one should drive on a flooded road, for fear of vehicles being swept into the water if the road collapses.
Volunteers in Moorhead are being asked to gather at Nemzek Fieldhouse on the campus of Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Moorhead used the city’s Code Red phone system on Saturday pleading for more assistance after relatively few people showed up at the Volunteer center Saturday morning.
Sheriff Berquist said on lookers have been a problem in rural areas, and he warned Sunday that they will not be tolerated.
Officials will also be tough on anyone found boating in flooded areas, as the wakes from the boats can damage dikes.
“If you’re on the river, you’re going to be arrested,” said Bergquist.
