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Ann Arbor Miller
Fargo, N.D.

Photos: Fargo's 'Sandbag Central' volunteers reflect on flood fight

Isaac Samuelson
Isaac Samuelson, 14, of Horace, N.D., was one of 4,103 middle and high schools students who volunteered to make sandbags at Sandbag Central in 2013. "I just think it's fun," said the eighth-grader, who missed two days of school to volunteer. Samuelson's house is protected from Sheyenne River flooding thanks to a permanent diversion channel.
Ann Arbor Miller for MPR

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Certainties are few when it comes to springtime in the Red River Valley. While the rising Red River will make history for latest crest, the official crest forecast for the Red at Fargo-Moorhead is 34 feet — quite a bit lower than previous forecasts which had prompted flood fighters to stockpile 1.7 million sandbags.

More than 8,350 volunteers put in 43,971 hours over 16 days at Fargo's Sandbag Central to churn out those sandbags. Photographer Ann Arbor Miller asked volunteers working at Sandbag Central last week for their insight on flood season. Volunteers wrote their thoughts on an empty sandbag with a black marker.

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Dan Johnston
Dan Johnston, 63, of Fargo, N.D., was a daily presence at Sandbag Central and most often found near a table piled high with empty sandbags. Ask him about the flood and he'll tell you what he tells everyone, "Have a happy flood." Ask him why he volunteers and he'll give you two different answers: "It beats staying at home and arguing with the wife," and "It's just something you need to do in a community."
Ann Arbor Miller for MPR
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Dwight Nettleton
Dwight Nettleton, 55, of Fargo, N.D., is a longtime Fargo resident and a dedicated Sandbag Central volunteer. During the 2011 flood event, Nettleton volunteered for 23 days. This year he was putting in eight- to nine-hour days, and had 12 days under his belt as of April 23, 2013. "It makes you feel good," he said.
Ann Arbor Miller for MPR
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Kay Braun
Ask Kay Braun how many days she has put in volunteering during the 2013 flood event and she says she simply doesn't know. Ask her why she volunteers and she says, "My husband says I do it so I don't worry." The 59-year-old Fargo, N.D., resident lives across the street from the Red River. "I don't think people realize how far the water would go without dike protection," Braun said.
Ann Arbor Miller for MPR

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