Moorhead will launch its flood information website today, providing critical information about potential flooding and outlining the city's game plan in the event of a spring battle.
Also, officials said Thursday that sandbag-filling efforts will begin in Moorhead the week of Feb. 22.
Things residents will find on the flood website - www.cityofmoorhead.com/flood - include:
- Property elevation data at critical flood stages.
- Flood zones and zone team information.
- Projected Red River levels.
- How people can take part in the flood fight.
Like last year, officials have divided the city into eight flood-fighting zones for the purpose of distributing information and resources.
"Think 2010, and that's really what you're going to see in 2011," City Manager Michael Redlinger said Thursday.
Public meetings are set for Feb. 22 and Feb. 24 at Courtyard by Marriott in Moorhead to provide residents with information about their particular flood-fighting zone.
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The Feb. 22 meeting covers zones 1-4, which are the areas north of 12th Avenue South.
The Feb. 24 meeting will cover zones 5-8, the areas south of 12th Avenue South.
Both meetings start with a general session at 6:30 p.m., followed by individual neighborhood zone meetings at 7:30 p.m.
Redlinger said the city has leased a building at 4141 30th Ave. S., in the city's new industrial park, which can store 1 million sandbags.
Moorhead is setting up two automated sandbag machines, capable of producing a combined 10,000 filled sandbags per hour, at the site, Redlinger said.
Sandbag production will start once necessary equipment is set up and tested, which Redlinger anticipated will be Feb. 22.
He said the city's initial goal will be to fill about 300,000 bags, but he said the City Council could opt for a larger number.
Redlinger said 300,000 is the number of sandbags the city would need to protect vulnerable areas to a river stage of 37 feet with a 2-foot margin of safety.
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Beginning in early March, the city will begin holding daily media brief-ings at 10 a.m. in the former GoMoorhead store in the Moorhead Center Mall.
When the Red River begins to flood, residents may call (218) 299-5300 to receive information and assistance regarding filled sandbag delivery, volunteer assistance and any flood protection issues that arise.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555
