FARGO, N.D. — High school and college students were let out of class Monday to help with sandbagging as residents raced to hold off a threat of flooding from the rising Red River.
City officials planned to fill more than 1 million sandbags, but with more rain forecast they increased the quota to nearly 2 million sandbags — about 500,000 each day by the end of the week.
“We’re confident that we can get the bags delivered,” said Bruce Grubb, Fargo’s enterprise director. “Getting them made is a more daunting challenge.”
North Dakota State University canceled classes Monday, and Fargo high schools also excused students to help.
“The students are eager to help. We’re ready to go,” said Fargo school spokesman Dan Huffman.
Across the river outside Moorhead, Minn., Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School junior Luke Gable said he was given the option of studying or sandbagging, and decided school could wait.
“Everyone needs help right now,” Gable said. “We’ve got fresh legs and fresh arms.”
Flood stage at Fargo is 18 feet, and the National Weather Service said the Red River had reached 25.3 feet Monday morning.
The weather service said the river is expected to crest in Fargo early Friday at about 40 feet — a record.
Officials said the dike protecting downtown Fargo was being raised to 42 feet, but the crest threatens several neighborhoods and hundreds of homes in low-lying areas.
