City resident gain minimal use of toilets

From Valley City Mayor Mary Lee Nielson -

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 With the river going below 17 feet and the additional capacity gained in the sanitary sewer system- in consultation with Jeff Differding and Wade Hesch, we are going to allow residents to use their toilets with minimal flushing. We will be monitoring the system for the next 2 days to see how it works. The port-a-potties will remain in place in case the system gets overloaded. Please follow the old adage- “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.” Our hope is that the above ground sanitary system we are relying on at this time will be able to handle the extra load. The collection of waste water for clothes washing, bathing and dish washing still needs to take place. We do not want to pour more waste water into the system other than the minimal flushing. As the river continues to go down there may be an opportunity to add these activities. The city will keep you posted. The citizens have done an excellent job in complying with the collection of waste water and use of port-a-potties. This is our next test- keep up the good work!

Campus access

Another road opened to campus this morning. The Mill Dam bridge on 3rd Ave SE opened. People can use that bridge and turn on to College Street or continue to 6th Street SE. I updated the Google map showing the routes to campus with green lines.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115453440231524773900.000466103976c9aa377fc&ll=46.918878,-98.003197&spn=0.010582,0.019226&z=16

Please allow for extra travel time around campus, as the streets might be narrow, and traffic congested at times.

Campus to re-open 4/23

VCSU will re-open at 12:30 pm on Thursday, April 23. Faculty and staff can either use the shuttle service (meet at the Bubble) or drive their own vehicle.

City lifts voluntary evacuation

The Mayor lifted the voluntary evacuation order this morning. Residents are allowed to return to their homes. The city warns residents that the river is still at a dangerous level, and the sewer system is not functional. Workers did isolate some areas that allowed river water to collapse the sewer system. City officials will continue to monitor the progress, and still encourage people to use portable bathrooms.

Business closure order lifted

The city lifted the mandatory business closure order this morning. Businesses can reopen, but cannot use the sewer system.

VCSU will make an announcement later today.

City notes

The city will re-open the Rainbow Bridge soon. The bridge will re-open a critical East-West route for Valley City. Residents are still asked to stay out of the city. Extra traffic and sewer system will hamper relief efforts.

Classes resume

VCSU Spring semester resumes today online. Please check your campus email or the black board for more information.

Spring semester FAQs available

VCSU created three frequently asked question (FAQ) documents for students. This information is available on the VCSU flood web page, click here.

If you have additional questions, please contact the campus at 1-800-532-8641, or email the corresponding office found in the "Campus Communication" post.

City update

Valley City installed a temporary sewer pipe over the weekend. This sewer pipe does not support the city. Officials still ask people to conserve water, and not use drains (showers, toilets, sinks). There are hundreds of port-a-potties around town for residents to use.

This morning the city mandated that all non-essential businesses must remain closed for the week. The closure will help the sewer system and keep traffic to a minimum. Essential businesses are hospital, pharmacies, grocery stores, and gas stations.

Valley City flood photos

The city is promoting the website http://flood2009picturesbystacieleier.shutterfly.com/. Numerous flood photos from Valley City and the area are available there.

Emergency notifications

Students can sign-up or update their information by logging in to Campus Connection.

Students can click on the picture for instructions.

Valley City pictures

We've posted some pictures of Valley City and VCSU online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/vcsusafety

There is a video as well that shows what the campus looks like.

Classes will resume online April 21

Classes will resume in an electronic/online format beginning April 21. This morning's developments will not hamper the current academic plan. See http://www.vcsu.edu/ or campus email for updates and more information.

Evacuation notice

Valley City is asking residents to no longer use water, and if they choose to leave town. The sewer system failed in the downtown area, causing sewage to spill into businesses and other areas.

If you choose to leave, do not panic, and leave in an orderly fashion.

From CSI-Cable site, www.csivc.com

Valley City Mayor Mary Lee Nielson has ordered all non-essential businesses in Valley City to close, stemming from a collapse of the sanitary sewer system on Friday (Apr 17th). The Mayor's request came through the media about 11:30-a.m. She stresses this is not a panic situation. However residents who want to leave may do so, in an orderly fashion. She says Porta-Potties are being sent out. She says it will likely take weeks before the system is operational. The Oriska School gymnasium is the official evacuation shelter for Valley City, for anyone without a place to go. Earlier in the day the Mayor banned water use in Valley City as the initial sewage backup started in the central part of Valley City. Spokeswoman Julie Nelson says a number of businesses downtown began filling with seweage starting about 9:30 Friday morning. A call for sandbaggers went out about 11 a-.m. Friday in the Rosebud area.

No water usage!

The city is asking residents no to use water until further notice. City sewer and water systems are having a difficult time running. No water usage until further notice.

Campus Communication

Campus Voicemail Services are not currently available. A message will be posted when services have been restored. If you are able, please use email as the primary communication tool with campus personnel.

Questions regarding…
· Graduate Studies - graduate@vcsu.edu
· Enrollment Services – enrollment.services@vcsu.edu
· Registrar’s – registrar@vcsu.edu
· Financial Aid – financial.aid@vcsu.edu
· Business Office – business.office@vcsu.edu
· Help Desk – help.desk@vcsu.edu

Voice mail

Campus voice mail is down until Monday, April 20. The phone system and email are working.

Class announcement

VCSU will start teaching all classes online on April 21. Please read Dr. Shirley's message at the following link. http://www.vcsu.edu/announcement.html Students are encouraged to connect with their instructors by email.

Health care services

Mercy Hospital intends to stay open for emergency room operations and patient services. If you need medical attention, use the 7th Ave NE entrance.

Update map

We've updated our Google map to include the evacuation zone and other points.

Click here.

Email web access

Faculty, staff, and students can access email from the following link:
https://exchca1.vcsu.edu/owa

Valley City information

The city of Valley City has posted a map and statement about evacuations. Please look at the first map labeled 21' Flood map. The neighborhoods within the red borders are under the notice.

http://valleycity.govoffice.com/

Valley City evacuations

This morning Valley City issued evacuation notices to several groups of people. The notice includes a large portion of the city. More information and a map will be available soon.

Campus email

VCSU email is back online. Please continue to check VCSU web page, blog, and twitter posts for more information.

River Levels

Below is the link that illustrates the river levels and crests. Please remember, the current dike system does protect Valley City to 24 feet.


http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=fgf&gage=vcrn8&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1

Road conditions

North Dakota DOT closed Interstate 94 from Jamestown to Bismarck during the night. There are numerous spots that are under water. If you need to travel in that direction, use alternative routes and check the DOT road report site. http://www.dot.nd.gov/roadreport/roadreport/roadreport.asp

A stretch of I-94 between Oriska and Tower City is also under water. National Guard and Highway Patrol are directing traffic through the water. Expect delays if you travel in that area.

Campus closed

VCSU has decided to close all offices and cancel classed for this week (April 13-17). This is a safety precaution as the city and campus battle a history flood. We are asking all students, faculty, and staff to refrain from coming to the campus.

Network services, web sites, email, and blackboard services are not available at this time. The campus is in the process of moving the servers.