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A Flood Journal

Photos and diary excerpts describe the Cutshalls' personal struggle.


Rising Waters Tour

Photo sequences from the Moens show flood impact from a resident's point of view.


Lincoln Elementary School Poems

Students write about their sensory experiences.


TO EXPLORE FURTHER
Stories by Laura McCallum about the Lincoln Drive families:
The Neighbors' Tales
(April 27, 1997)
Return to Lincoln Drive
(May 23, 1997)
Losing Lincoln Drive
(Dec. 30, 1997)

The complete collection of MPR's flood stories and related information:
The Great Flood of 1997


MAINSTREET
RADIO

A Mainstreet Radio Special on Midday
Live from East Grand Forks, Minnesota
Hosted by Rachel Reabe
Wednesday, April 15, 1998

Click for audio HOUR 1 - HOUR 2
(RealAudio 2.0 14.4)

HOUR ONE: COMMUNITY RECOVERY
Following a radio feature that recalls the flood, Grand Forks Mayor Pat Owen and East Grand Forks Mayor Lynn Stauss discuss the recovery of their two towns. Questions are taken from the audience and over the phone. Joining the discussion is Bob Rosenberg, one of the business owners who lost buildings in the flood.

What is being done on a regional basis to prevent such catastrophes? Morrie Lanning, chairman of the Red River Basin Coalition discusses efforts to work with three states, two countries and over thirty communities to develop a basin-wide plan for water management.

Breckenridge Mayor Cliff Barth talks about flood recovery from a small-town perspective.


John Little

The Cutshalls

Pat and Butch Moen

HOUR TWO: IMPACT ON INDIVIDUALS
The Lincoln Drive neighborhood in Grand Forks was one of the most severely affected by the flood. MPR's Laura McCallum has reported throughout the year on three families from the neighborhood. Each family has taken a different direction after the neighborhood was destroyed. John Little remains in the home he restored, but it is condemned to be torn down. Dennis and Susan Cutshall moved 17 miles away to Emerado, ND. Pat and Butch Moen relocated in North Carolina. They are brought together for a live discussion during the second hour.

Denise Twohey, Grand Forks psychologist and University of North Dakota professor discusses how men and women have dealt differently with the flood. She also talks about how children cope with the loss of their homes, schools, and possessions.

Students of Lincoln Elementary School in Grand Forks read poetry they wrote about the flood. Their school was destroyed, and classes are being held in a church building. See a selection of the students' poetry.

Music closing the show is by Bob Hanson, former conductor of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony. "Red River of the North '97" commemorates the flood and is performed by the combined Red River and Central High School bands from Grand Forks.