Super Eco

Photo credit: d-man/Carpe_diem, flickr

North Dakotans living in the city of Fargo have been issued a mandatory evacuation order in the face of rising floodwaters from the swollen Red River. The river was reported to have surpassed a 112-year old flood record and is already measured at 22 feet above flood stage, with the flood's crest not even expected until tomorrow. Earlier this week, President Obama blamed climate change for the impending flood and called for global action.

Volunteers are hard at work building sandbag levees in an attempt to forestall the worst of the flooding but the concern is that Fargo's nearly 100,000 people, if not evacuated, could be subjected to a dike collapse sending millions of gallons of very cold water into the homes and businesses within the flood plain, causing quick hypothermia and untold damage to homes, buildings, and the citys infrastructure, including water quality.

We're not sure that the Red River flooding (also wreaking havoc in Manitoba) can be tied to global climate change; rivers flood routinely based on weather patterns and spring river floods are not uncommon. But we applaud anything that can help bring awareness both to the dire and immediate issues facing thousands of Fargo families and to the more long-term global issue of huge changes in climate that will affect all of us.

How can you help? Both the Red Cross and Catholic Charities are already hard at work assisting flood victims; giving to either organization is a good place to start. If you're a flood victim, list yourself with the Red Cross as safe and well so that your loved ones know you're okay.