Pawlenty checks on flood prep progress

Pawlenty tours sandbagging effort
Gov. Tim Pawlenty talks with Alvin Swanson, 78, who is helping fill sandbags at the Moorhead city garage, during a visit to the city Wednesday March 10, 2010. City officials are preparing for flood season on the nearby Red River.
MPR Photo/Dan Gunderson

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty toured sandbag operations in Moorhead Wednesday morning and met with city and county officials to discuss their flood preparations.

The governor said he's impressed with the detailed plans that are in place to address any potential flooding in the Red River Valley.

"They have done just tremendous work preparing for this flood possibility. I leave here today feeling very confident Moorhead and Clay County are as prepared as possible for these events," said Pawlenty. "You can never know for sure how these things go, because temperature changes and weather changes and the like, so you can't take anything for granted."

Pawlenty said the state will make needed resources available as the flood develops.

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Meantime, Fargo and Moorhead are trying new strategies this year to encourage volunteers to fill sandbags in advance.

Fargo has a goal of filling one million sandbags by next week, and Moorhead hopes to fill 300,000.

Volunteer turnout has been light so the cities are offering incentives. Fargo will donate $75 to nonprofit organizations for every 100 hours of volunteer effort.

Moorhead is holding a college night event Wednesday from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Every volunteer can pledge a $15 donation to the student organization of their choice. There will also be free T-shirts and door prizes.