Today a city gave up. An entire city gave up.
The residents of Minot, ND put down their shovels, left the sandbags scattered about, grabbed as many of their possessions as they could, and they left their homes. 12,000 of the city's 40,000 people evacuated, most realizing it is the last time they will ever see the walls of the homes where they have raised their children, lived their dreams, and shed their tears.
The battles have gone on for months. The flooding first started in April, relentless rain and excess snow taking the blame for overwhelming the intricate system of waterways and dams that protects so much of the United States and Canada. Many of the 12,000 people already survived one mandatory evacuation less than a month ago. Homes and business were damaged, but life continued on.
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Today life stopped. The people who don't ever give up did exactly that. The people who watch out for one another in a way that isn't seen anywhere else in the country looked at one another and said, "This is it." The Mayor of Minot had delivered the news that changed the course of history. Instead of continuing to build levees and dikes, it was time to leave. Officials in Canada had been left with no choice but to release water from a dam, the floodways and reservoirs are full, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop the water from overtaking the city within the next 24 hours.
As the people drove away from their homes, they faced a river that had already reached the highest point documented in history. The city was forever changed by a flood in 1969. River banks were wisely made higher and wider in the aftermath, with the hope that the city could then handle another flood of that magnitude. Now a flood of that magnitude surrounds them, but there is another eight feet of water headed their way.
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There's nothing they can do. They had to give up. They had to leave.
And now they wait. And hope.
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As the water rushes through the streets of Minot, it will wash away many of my childhood memories. The Girl Scout camp where I learned about Campfire Bananas is gone. The State Fairgrounds where I worked countless hours to save enough money to move away from that city is already under water. The swimming pool where I spent many lazy summer days is no longer recognizable. The bank parking lot where I met my husband will soon be submerged. Many friends' homes will be washed away.
The heart of the city is being washed away.
But the people won't be. People from Minot don't quit. They are far too stubborn to give up. They will be back.