The Town of Harwood Dikes Itself In
By Dan Gunderson
April 9, 1997

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Several small towns in western Minnesota and eastern North Dakota have been overrun by floodwaters in the past week. In Harwood, North Dakota, a community of about 600, a five-mile long dike has been built around the entire town in hopes of keeping floodwaters at bay. Roads will be cut off by tonight or tomorrow, marooning several hundred people who have chosen to stay with their homes. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson was in Harwood this morning as final preparations were made.

SFX: WATER

WATER GURGLES OMINOUSLY through a drainage ditch about a mile outside Harwood, just inches from going over the road. the small community is surrounded by miles of farmland covered by water and ice.

SFX: HEAVY EQUIPMENT

Heavy equipment sits idling near a six-foot tall earthen dike about five miles long surrounding Harwood. As the water rises the equipment will swing into action and pile dirt across Interstate Highway 29 and a county road, cutting off the town of 600.

SFX: PHONE TREE

At the Harwood fire hall, Marge Gord sets a long-organized plan in motion, calling to notify residents the dike is to be closed. She's one of several volunteers who plan to stay on the job 24-hours a day until the floodwaters recede.

Public works director Bernie Stosh hasn't shaved for a couple of days; he rubs bloodshot eyes as he tries to sort out several conversations happening at the same time.

IT WAS A REAL LONG WINTER. DIDN'T GET A BREAK BETWEEN - WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOODING, SO IT'S BEEN REAL HECTIC.

Outside the fire hall Harwood resident Duke Sampson looks out across the flooded fields. He's waiting in case extra volunteers are needed.

I LIVED ON COUNTY ROAD 20 FOR THIRTY YEARS. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THIS BAD. IF OUR DIKES AND OUR SANDBAGS HOLD UP WE'RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. IF THEY GIVE, WE MAY HAVE TO RUN PRETTY FAST.

Sampson is one of many Harwood residents who say they will stay in their homes.

Lynda Rud lives near the swollen Sheyenne River. She says her family is moving to higher ground, but she's staying to man pumps and help with emergency sandbagging. She's known for weeks this moment would come, but says it's hard to face the unknown.

YOU HAVE TO BE ON GUARD, AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE ATTACK IS GOING TO HAPPEN. TO EVEN TALK ABOUT IT IS SOMETHING I CAN'T COMPREHEND. I CAN'T IMAGINE IT'S GOING TO BE WHAT THEY ANTICIPATE.

Two helicopter pads have been built in Harwood in case there are medical emergencies or a dike fails and residents need to be rescued.

US Army Corps Of Engineers supervisor Tim Burchi has helped oversee three million dollars worth of dike construction along the Red River this spring. He says the Harwood dike was quickly built, but should hold.

THIS VALLEY IS SO COTTON PICKIN' FLAT IT'S THE ONLY OPTION. HARWOOD WAS DONE ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS. THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY. WHEN THIS RIVER SPREADS OUT IT ENCOMPASSES SUCH A LARGE AREA.

SFX

Harwood flood operations coordinator Ron Mack has a cellular phone in one hand and a two way radio in the other. He fears Harwood is in for a long tense struggle.

IT'S A 500-YEAR FLOOD. SO I MEAN EVEN WHEN IT STARTS DROPPING THE DROP IS GONNA BE PRETTY SLOW FOR A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE YOU START TO SEE IT REALLY DROP OFF.

Until the water recedes, Harwood residents will need to patrol the dike 24-hours a day and hope the hastily constructed earthen structure protects their town.

It may be three weeks before Harwood residents can come out from behind the dike.

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