This is where I live

[ohmt]

In one of my classes today we learned that Fargo, ND was voted as the toughest weather city in the US in a contest started up by the Weather Channel. It beat out cities in Michigan, Minnesota, Alaska, and then Bradford, PA. Of course it was just voting though. Still, I thought it would be neat to share. Our farm is actually an hour south of Fargo, but I have an apartment here because I attend one of its colleges. I thought about commuting, but in the winter there are too many days that the interstates are closed and in the spring the interstates are always closed due to flooding. We are in what's called the Red River Valley which used to be a lake bottom so it's completely flat (Seriously, there are ZERO hills. Not even little bunny hills.) and the only trees are ones that people have planted for shelter belts so it's always windy as well. There are a few rivers in the area that flood by a lot every spring. 18 ft is considered flood stage for the Red River and it usually crests at 40 ft.

Here is the link for the Toughest Weather City title: LINK

And here are some pictures of this spring's flooding which actually wasn't too bad this year. We were prepared. First photo taken by Schwert and second by Ann Arbor Miller.

Sending thoughts and prayers to those having tough weather this spring.

 

[AnnaC]

OMG! As you live in a valley, how bad does it get for you? Here in the UK we often have news about floods elsewhere in the world, sometimes they show horses, cattle or other animals swimming for their lives, but where can they swim too and I always think of what is hidden under the water that could injure them or even trap their legs. They can only keep swimming until their energy gives out and they drown - such a horrific thought, I get so upset the picture of their struggle remains with me for a long time. Needless to say I live high up in a mountain area, well away from any flood plains.

Please stay safe.

Anna

 

[SampleMM]

Well, this doesn't shock me!! My friend lives in North Dakota and I'm really close to Bradford, PA and we are always lamenting about the weather. Does anyone remember that this winter I put in my status that we had 6 ft of snow in 24 hours and everyone kept saying, "Are you sure you don't mean inches?" No! It was so bad that the Weather Channel came and did a story here.

Thanks for sharing!! This really made my day.

 

[ohmt]

Luckily we don't have that problem too often, thank goodness! It floods badly every year so everyone prepares fairly well for it. The colleges take in any animals who's homes have flooded usually without charge. I know back in 97' it was awful and many homes and animals were lost, but since then we have gotten smarter. This year we had 3 million sandbags ready to go as soon as the weather let up a little and allowed us to put them out. It's amazing how our community works together. I think there are few people who don't volunteer many hours to sandbagging.

We flood a lot, but our soil is AMAZING and it is almost all farmland out here. I think the worst part about living here is the cold. We may not get the most snow, but we do get quite a bit and it's always so cold. I need to move south!

Sample-I remember that! How about you gather up your buckskin beauties and we move south together? I'm fairly quiet and I actually like cleaning stalls