Devils Lake has doubled since 1993. More than 200 homes have been moved or destroyed. Miles of road, power lines, pasture and cropland have been swallowed up by the lake and the smaller basins that feed it. What really hurts is that they have to pay taxes on land that is under 15 feet of water. Jim Dustin, the Upper Midwest Fargo warehouse manager, carried a pickup load of supplies to Day County after a heavy rainfall in late April, according to the Rev. Dale Emery, pastor of Webster and Bristol United Methodist churches.
Folks affected by the flooding are weary and resigned.
The Rev. Randy Phillips, Cando, N.D., said it's a long process of trying to draw them out. He worries about what's going on with families that are isolated and staying that way. Upper Midwest Flood Recovery Director Nina Martin is also calling for a new approach. For general questions about The United Methodist Church, please call InfoServ at 1.800.251.8140.