The first day as a game warden called into Grand Forks to patrol during the 1997 flood was surreal. We were staged at an evacuated motel. No power, no water. But a bed. Which would prove the best amenity we could ask for.
We were paired up with local police and law enforcement for over night safety patrol. The city was evacauted so anything out of place was investigated. Looters or anykind of unauthorized presence was our priority. I’m happy to report my boat never encountered any looters–not that we expected it where we live. What I didn’t expect was maybe more difficulut.
It hit me right away. These deputies, highway patrol and police officers were patrolling their old beats. Completely destroyed.
These were homes, neighborhoods and their hearts were now drowning in the Red River flood waters. I was a kid game warden living the aderenaline of driving a boat down Demers and Washington Ave. How cool was that?
Until I realized the struggle of emotions these officers patrolling with me where on the front lines of a city destroyed.
I’ll update this blog through the 2023 flood fight
