Both the American Red Cross of Fargo and the Salvation Army requested teddy bears (over 150) for the families displaced by flood waters from the Red River.  We were told that thousands of shivering, tired residents got out while they could and others prayed that miles of sandbagged levees would hold Friday as the surging Red River threatened to unleash the biggest flood North Dakota’s largest city has ever seen.
The agonizing decision to stay or go came as the final hours ticked down before an expected crest Saturday evening, when the ice-laden river could climb as high as 43 feet, nearly 3 feet higher than the record set 112 years ago.

Snow compounded the problem according to Cathleen Howe of the Red Cross Disaster Relief Team.  The river could continue to rise and those in shelters would not be permitted back in their homes. These are difficult times particularly for children.