By Bill Goldston

March 29, 2009, Fargo, North Dakota, a powerful snowstorm that began on Monday intensified into blizzard conditions in the rural areas of North Dakota causing the Red River to overflow its banks. Businesses and schools remained closed on Tuesday, Interstate 29 a major north-south artery was shut down, residents were urged to stay home and snow plowing crews could not plows due to slippery roads and mass flooding.

An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, from Coast Guard Air Stations Traverse City, Mich., flies over the Red River in response to the flooding. Another Dolphin helicopter, from Air Station New Orleans, accompanied them during the transit from Grand Forks to Fargo to stand-by for rescue operations.