Cass officials help evacuate Argusville man from his home after levee begins leaking

ARGUSVILLE, N.D. - An 87-year-old man was evacuated from his rural home this afternoon as the sandbag levee around it began to leak, Cass County Administrator Bonnie Johnson said.

Obert A. Tenold, 2811 173rd St. S.E., Argusville, was evacuated shortly after noon from his home by National Guard troops using an airboat.

Airboats from the Cass County and Burleigh County sheriff's departments and the U.S. Coast Guard, and an inflatable boat from Valley Water Rescue were also dispatched to the scene, officials said.

No one was injured in the evacuation and Tenold is staying with his son in West Fargo, Johnson said.

A neighbor concerned about Tenold called the Cass County Sheriff's Department and asked them to check to be sure Tenold was safe, Johnson said. He agreed to be evacuated when contacted, she said.

Guardsmen also repaired a pump at Tenold's home.

Two airboats took part in the actual evacuation, Johnson said.

In 2009, Tenold needed to be evacuated by helicopter during that spring's flood, officials said.

The quick response force that took part in the evacuation was stationed at the Harwood Community Center.

1/2: Capt. Grant Larson, of the 119th Maintenance Squadron, left, and Tom Hall, a Cass County Sherriff's deputy, assist 87-year-old Obert Tenold to his feet April 9, as Tenold is helped out of a Cass County Otter Team airboat near Harwood, N.D. A joint government agency team is evacuating Tenold from his home, at his request, as floodwater surrounds his residence, making it impossible for him to get out on his own. The team is an example of how agencies are working together to help others during the 2011 Red...

2/2: A Cass County Otter Team airboat responds to an evacuation request at the Orbert Tenold home April 9, in the rural Harwood, N.D., area. From upper left, clockwise, are Tom Hall and Jesse Jahner, both Cass County Sherriff's deputies, Kathy Carbno, of Valley Water Rescue, Obert Tenold, Staff Sgt. Luke Christians, of the 815th Engineer Company, and Capt. Grant Larson, of the 119th Maintenance Squadron. The team is an example of how agencies are working together to help others during the 2011 Red River Vall...