Saturday, May 2, 2009
Road Trouble in Barnes County
Spring of 09 in Barnes County came at use with a bang. After the rains came on the week of the march 24 the snow gave way to massive overland flooding. This caused major damages to the roads in Barnes County. This was a very serious situation for the DOT, Law enforcement, rural residents, and motorists they needed to block these roads for the safety of drivers. It was a mad rush to get barriers in place, rural residents where using farm implements to block the less traveled back roads that were under water or washed out. The sheriff Gene Bjerke was using the radio and News paper to tell motorist to be cautious when driving in rural Barnes County. The DOT was using their website to show the road closures that were blocked. The sheriff’s department where warning drivers to obey the closure signs and if not they will face fines if caught. These roads being under water and washed can appear without warning and in most cases it’s too late for the motorist. Vehicles can hydro plain on standing water and may throw your vehicle uncontrollable, and in washed out roads you can just imagine what could happen. The roads in Barnes County may be out for many weeks before they get to all these roads to repair and the cost of repairs will be very high. Some of the farms are using boats to get out due to water blocking the only access out and in to their farms and others drive ways just got washed out and they will need to get repaired. These farms will have to make new route to exit the farms through fields and pastures for awhile. There’s allot of work ahead to get all the roads fixed and some roads may just be temporarily fixed so farm machinery can get around for the planting season and farms can get in and out. So keep in mind when driving on some of the gravel roads around Barnes County to watch out and stay safe.
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I believe that the DOT of Barnes County did a good job of crisis management. They handled the situation with care and respect for the people. They informed us that we should not travel on roads that have water covering it for two reasons: you do not know how strong the current is, which is true, i was driving on the interstate in a couple inches of water and I could feel the water pull my car, I couldn't imagine what a foot of water would do. We also weren't supposed to drive into water because we may not see what is in front of us. I heard by Fingal that part of the road gave way to the over flow of water.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jerzey, i watched the news and DOT of Barnes County informed public to not travel on roads that have water covering them. They informed them of the dangers they possess, and because of the unknown conditions. I remember seeing a picture in the paper of a washed away road, and if water was still on that road and you tried to drive over it, you would be in big trouble. It is not worth trying to drive through some water and lose your life over it.
ReplyDeleteI think they did a good job from what I have read. I heard a few things about the roads in Barnes county being underwater and not to drive on them. I liked how they informed the public of the dangers of driving on and into flooded roadways, like "Vehicles can hydro plain on standing water and may throw your vehicle uncontrollable" was very helpful for people to understand the dangers.
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