Grand Forks in Grand Forks County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Flames and Flood
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 26, 2020
1. Flames and Flood Marker
The battle lost. The cities evacuated. By Saturday, April 19, the community was devastated. Shock turned to disbelief when, at 4:15 p.m. a fire was reported in the downtown Grand Forks Security Building, which stood at this site.
Amid four-foot freezing flood waters, firefighters first rescued 40 apartment tenants who had not evacuated. Then, returning to the fire, they found themselves facing formidable obstacles. The lake that engulfed the city stalled the fire trucks. The fire hydrants, submerged in flood water, were without pressure.
Airbase personnel once again came to the rescue, bringing in flatbed trucks to ferry fire equipment into place. Planes and helicopters were enlisted to drop fire retardant. Two days later the fire came under control but not before destroying eleven buildings in two city blocks in the heart of downtown Grand Forks. It resembled a war-zone.
Erected by City of Grand Forks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is April 19, 1997.
Location. 47° 55.587′ N, 97° 1.973′ W. Marker is in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in Grand Forks County. Marker is at the intersection of North 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue North on North 3rd Street. Touch for map.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Flood of Assistance (here, next to this marker); Digging Through the Muck (here, next to this marker); Returning to Devastation (here, next to this marker); Rebuilding and Recovery (here, next to this marker); A Story of Triumph (a few steps from this marker); Dinnie Block (a few steps from this marker); New Hampshire Apartments (within shouting distance of this marker); Security Trust Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Forks.
Also see . . . Grand Forks Marks 20th Anniversary of 1997 Flood. (Submitted on March 30, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota.)
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 26, 2020
2. Flames and Flood Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 30, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
