South Florida volunteers help flooded North Dakota residents

Writing to you from Minot, ND. I was originally assigned to Bismarck, however, Minot has the most need for our help right now.

Flood waters reach the eaves of this building in Minot, ND

This is the worst flooding that Minot has experienced since 1881. Even though the Souris/Mouse River has peaked, the waters will not begin to recede for weeks.

Tiffany Hamm (right) and fellow
Red Cross volunteer Bethany
are helping in Minot, ND.

Bridges and roadways are impassable because of standing water which has slowed Red Cross service delivery and disaster assessment. Local residents are still getting help and they've been served meals at Minot State University since June 25.

There are two client shelters running right now: one in the Civic Arena and one in the college sports dome. Even though there are at least 12,000 people displaced due to the rising river, only 200 people are being sheltered by the Red Cross. Many residents have found shelter with family members and friends.

Because the flooding has been happening since May, that may change if they grow weary of living in close quarters or if grocery stores begin to run low on supplies.

Currently, we are under a boil water order and we can't take showers. Most Red Cross volunteers are being housed in shelters. It's rough and hectic, but it's been good so far.

I'm attaching some pictures of Minot that I took with Bethany, my fellow DA worker.

-Tiffany Hamm