Besides the fact that Valley City residents are dealing with the single worst flood in history, they are also having to "Rough it" in a sense while the flood fight continues to drag on. 3 weeks or so ago Valley City mayor urged the residents in Valley City occupying the 500 year flood plain to evacuate do to the fact that they are in a dangerous area in case of a levi blowout. (EVACUATION ARTICLE) This news alone was devasting enough for people that had to leave there homes. Valley City residents not in the flood plain would also soon be affected a week shorty after. Sewer systems were reaching full capacities and people were encouraged to use very little water. Then the news of the first sewer backups starting spreading around town like wild fire. This news was then followed up shortly after by Valley City Mayor telling everyone in the town that they should evacuate. For the residents and businesses that would remain porta potties called Spiffy Biffies would be placed on each city block in the town (By the way what a clever name). So the residents that were to remain would have to share 1 porta potty with everyone on the block. (Hopefully the urinal mints were fresh!!) That was enough for me to leave the town of Valley City.
Dont get me wrong this is not by far the worst crisis that this town faced or will face but I decided to touch on something other than sandbagging, saving peoples houses, the campus being closed, online classes, the traffic congestion,the battterd roads, or the town aftermath (Cleanup). Indeed these are all much more serious. (Valley City On Edge)
There was very affective types of communication about the sewer systems as well as everything else I mentioned. Even before this flood hit the whole town itself planned for a crisis situation even before it occured. The communication was so effective because many different types were used. Computers, TV, media, as well as verbal communication played a huge role in this flood fight.
(Valley City flood fight slideshow) - WATCH THIS..!!!!
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Haha, I unfortunately have had to use the Spiffy Biffies. It was a fairly awkward experience since part of it was on the curb and was leaning forward.
ReplyDeleteI did leave Valley City not because of the 500-year flood plain, because my apartment was right outside of it. but because of the failure of the sewer system. Not being able to take a shower... ummm about that, I'll pass.
Even though this was a huge crisis, the City of Valley City and VCSU stood up to it and beat it. They could have very easily just evacuated and ran for the hills. But they stayed and fought. Which is kind of the attitude around here (reference to the Fargo mayor who brushed off FEMA request to evacuate).