The river will continue to rise, people will continue to evacuate, and the national guard will continue to serve. Current levels are over 20 feet and are expected to crest around 21.6 feet.
 
So far the dikes and sand bags are holding.  However, there have been three locations where the dikes began to give way.  The National Guard dispatched the helicopters, heavy truck and earth movers to quickly repair the fault. Some homes were overtaken, but no lives lost.
 
South of Valley City the dam was compromised and the town of Katheryne was evacuated.
 
The Valley City Mayor requested 1,400 of the approxamately 3,200 homes and businesses were to evacuate, the parsonage and church are both in that area.  We plan to stay until the water comes up or the sewers back up.
 
With the money provided from WELS Committee on Relief to St. Paul’s, we purchased:

• a portable generator
• extension cords
• plastic bins
• hoses
• shop vac
• mops and buckets
• squeegees
• sewer drain plugs
• 4000 cfm carpet fan
• a pressure washer
• sump pumps

So far we have spent just under $2,000 of the $3,000 given.

St. Paul’s  Lutheran Church
Valley City, N.D.