Minot, ND Flood Recovery
August 9th we left home and headed east to help Ken's aunt and cousin who live in Minot, ND. In June they were evacuated from their home when the nearby river flooded. After about a month under water, the devastation in this city is hard to describe. Now that the waters have receded, many many homes are literally gutted and are in the dry-out process. So, here is what's current:

We came across LoLo Pass from Idaho into Montana and up to US 2 across the north part of Montana into North Dakota. It's been five years since our last trip through here and my goodness...the oil wells are every where now! Anyone need employment? There are signs everywhere for "help wanted". The "man towns"...portable housing units...have sprung up all along the way through the Williston area.

Upon arrival in Minot, the Red Cross had directed us to Jim Hill Middle School and adjacent football stadium parking lot where the Minot School District is allowing RVs to park. There are both displaced home owners and disaster relief helpers staying here.

Our first stop was at the home of Ken's family. The doors and windows are open to allow for circulation of air.

Around the corner is an example of the many, many homes that have been under water for a significant period. Homeowners are instructed to remove the water soaked contaminated plaster board, insulation, furnishings, corroded electrical items, etc. and place them at the curb.

Just that day, Samaritan's Purse volunteers had completed the process of removing the interior contaminates and other contents (extensive black mold)for Ken's aunt and cousins and then performing a hot water/bleach sanitizing process.

We joined Ken's family at a local church where these volunteers were being housed. We joined them for dinner and a time of sharing. The current volunteers were ending their stay; new volunteers would be arriving.

One young college man who came with his church group gives Ken's aunt a hug. Indeed these volunteers shared the most precious gift possible...their time! The work is indeed hard but the volunteers are genuinely loving souls.

As the days have progressed Ken is assessing where to start! It is somewhat a "hurry up and wait" dealing with the red tape, waiting on access to electricity, etc. Here is the truck from the city that has come around to scoup up the curb-side piles of contaminants.

Here Ken is ripping out the badly corroded electrical box.

As of Aug. 17, the house is now cleaned out. Our RV is parked in the front "yard"... that is on a thick layer of ??? on top of the grass. We are awaiting a temporary electrical box so fans can be used for drying out the interior. Only then can rebuilding begin.