Mounting river to crest as thousands of homes flooded in N. Dakota

"Water is flowing toward Minot from Canada faster than ever," a weather agency says15-20% of the North Dakota city is underwater, according to the National Weather ServiceThe Souris River is slated to crest late Saturday or early SundayThe river topped its record of 1,558 feet set in 1881

Minot, North Dakota (CNN) -- The swollen Souris River is expected to crest this weekend after already topping its record water level on Friday, giving no respite to the thousands of people in North Dakota whose homes have been inundated by floodwater.

About 15-20% of Minot, North Dakota, was underwater late Friday, and floodwaters are expected to increase in the coming days, the National Weather Service said.

The Souris River, which locals call "The Mouse" after the French translation of its name, flows through the center of city. The river looks like a "U" and swoops in and out of North Dakota from Canada.

"Water is flowing toward Minot from Canada faster than ever due to record water levels upstream," the weather agency said Friday night. "The current forecast is for the crest to reach between 1,564 and 1,565 feet above sea level sometime during the overnight hours of June 25-26, and continuing through June 30. This crest would be more than 6 feet above record flood stage, and 9 feet above major flood stage."

The previous record of 1,558 feet above sea level was set in 1881, according to the NWS. The level was 1,560.13 on Friday evening.

Floodwater gushed through Minot on Friday. Between 3,000 and 4,000 homes have been affected by the water, and in some, the water was "up to the roofs," Minot Fire Department Battalion Chief John Hocking said.

"This is by far the toughest we've seen," Hocking said.

Crews were trying to keep the vital north-south U.S. Highway 83 open as the waters stopped railroad service and sent residents and zoo animals to higher ground. Officials worried that more levees would be breached.

A special focus was the so-called Broadway Bridge on U.S. 83, which spans the river. If it closes, Minot effectively would be split, making it tougher for emergency vehicles and repair crews to move about.

"It's really important that bridge stays open," said Cecily Fong, spokeswoman for the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.

Workers reinforced levees and built huge dikes to stem the flow of the river, Hocking said Friday night. Air boats were brought in earlier.

"This has been a very trying time for our community," Mayor Curt Zimbelman said. "Emotionally draining for all of us."

The rush of water prompted the overflowing of a lake near the city, officials said, exacerbating the region's flood concerns.

About 12,000 residents have evacuated their homes, according to Minot Fire Department Capt. Dean Lenertz.

Minot, in the north-central part of the state, is the fourth-largest city in North Dakota. The evacuation order covers a third of its population, state Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong said.

Zimbelman has said that no new evacuations have been ordered, even though "the flows coming into Lake Darling are reaching the lake quicker and at a greater volume than predicted."

"Due to this, Lake Darling has increased its outflow," the mayor said -- increasing flooding in the floodplain, though not to a point that it yet changes the "inundation zone."

About 800 National Guard troops were in the city late Friday to assist, Fong said.

Hocking said he took an aerial tour of areas around Minot and said saw widespread flooding.

"All along you could see are rooftops and flooded areas," he said.

Water has topped the city's dikes since Wednesday, which are leaking in some places.

CNN's Phil Gast, Marlena Baldacci, Jim Spellman and Alta Spells contributed to this report.

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Nicaragua quake survivors get new homes - 40 years after disaster (The Christian Science Monitor)

Managua, Nicaragua; and Mexico City – When Guillermo Martin Treminio's house crumbled in the 1972 earthquake that leveled Nicaragua's capital, killing 10,000 people and destroying 50,000 buildings and homes, he had nowhere to go. So he moved his family into a crumbling apartment building in downtown Managua that the wealthy had abandoned.

Mr. Treminio's refugeelike living conditions, which he had once hoped would be temporary, became home for almost 40 years. "We had lost hope," he recalls.

But now he has finally moved his family into permanent housing, thanks to a government program to relocate 103 families who also squatted in the skeletal remains of four abandoned high-rises known as "the ruins." It's one of the last efforts of cleanup after the devastating quake.

"The so-called squatter settlements in the ruins are nothing more than earthquake refugees who never got a place to live after the quake," says Nicaraguan historian Roberto Sanchez Ramirez.

Their four-decade-long plight may be extreme, but it highlights a reality in the wake of large-scale disaster, both natural and human-caused. Though critics often fault governments and aid organizations for the slow pace of reconstruction, months and even years may pass before the displaced regain a solid sense of home.

IN PICTURES: Rebuilding after an earthquake

In Haiti, a year and a half after its devastating earthquake, permanent housing reconstruction has not even begun. Even after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the aftermath of which is seen as a model for reconstruction, it took four years for families to find permanent homes. Five years after hurricane Katrina in the United States, thousands remained in temporary housing.

"Very-large-scale disasters, especially those that have occurred in the developing world, have very long recovery periods," says Irwin Redlener, a physician and director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in New York. "The temporary housing might become permanent, or very longstanding."

That is certainly the case in many parts of historical downtown Managua – a crossroads of fault lines that has been left in weed-grown partial abandonment since the 1972 quake. In total, 541 city blocks in Managua were destroyed or irreparably damaged and had to be leveled afterward.

The majority of middle- and upper-class citizens fled, joining an exodus of 250,000, more than half the population of the city. But those living in shantytowns had no place to go, so they forged lives for themselves among the devastation, waiting for government help. "We thought we were going to die there. We never thought we would be moved out," says Erminia Pineda, a longtime resident of the apartment buildings, where as many as 45 people would live on a floor built to house only four or five and which was governed by its own set of laws and social norms. Each floor had its own hierarchy of power, based on seniority and economic clout within the buildings. Residents took care of their own security, organizing into vigilance groups to watch over one another's belongings. Walls often fell down. Rain came through cracks. Each time the ground shook, residents worried the buildings would come down.

Temporary living is fraught with vulnerabilities, says Lilianne Fan, an independent consultant on humanitarian policy and postcrisis reconstruction who has worked in Haiti and Indonesia. Those displaced often face problems with sanitation, little access to education and health care, and limited security. The psychological pressures of not having permanence can also take a toll.

The challenges of postdisaster reconstruction are many. Among them: removing rubble, planning settlements, securing funding, procuring materials, and training builders. While aid organizations sweep into disaster zones, the degree to which they can participate in large-scale reconstruction is limited. When a disaster occurs in a developing country without a strong government, reconstruction takes even longer.

IN PICTURES: Rebuilding after an earthquake

"There are some misperceptions about what the private or voluntary sector can do," says Mr. Redlener. "The larger the disaster, the more necessary it is to have the government as the principal driver of recovery."

Those in Nicaragua blame previous governments for ignoring their plight. "The neoliberal governments [from 1990 to 2006] promised us homes, but it was all a lie," says Treminio.

But now that is changing. In early April, 30 military trucks rolled up in front of the ruins to evacuate the 700 people living there, moving them to a new neighborhood of cement-block homes about six miles away.

While some squatters resisted the move, arguing that the housing settlement was too far removed from Managua's main marketplace, many are glad to get out of the dilapidated buildings, which city officials have deemed a "deathtrap." The buildings were leveled in May.

Starting anew is a challenge for some. "It's harder here, but you can't have everything," Ms. Pineda says in her new neighborhood. "New beginnings are hard everywhere, but we have a house, we have a roof, and we have water. And that's what's important."

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Afghan leader tells NATO attacks on homes "not allowed" (Reuters)

KABUL (Reuters) – President Hamid Karzai warned the NATO-led force in Afghanistan on Tuesday that launching attacks on Afghan homes in pursuit of insurgents was "not allowed" and that patience with the tactic had run out after a spate of civilian casualties.

"NATO must learn that air strikes on Afghan homes are not allowed and that Afghan people have no tolerance for that anymore," Karzai told a news conference in Kabul.

Karzai reacted angrily after NATO air strikes on a compound inadvertently killed at least nine people -- most of them children -- in southern Helmand on Sunday. The strikes were ordered after a patrol had come under fire.

Civilian casualties caused by foreign troops, usually in air strikes or "night raids" on Afghan homes as they hunt insurgents, have long been a major source of friction between Karzai and his Western backers.

Karzai warned that Afghans had had enough of the tactics, which he said were a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty.

"If they don't stop air strikes on Afghan homes, their presence in Afghanistan will be considered as an occupying force and against the will of the Afghan people," he said.

"The international community has helped us a lot but they cannot risk the lives of Afghan people, this can't be compensated," Karzai said, adding he had warned NATO commanders "a hundred times."

Tension boiled over at the weekend after the strikes on the compound in Helmand's Nawzad district. Graphic television footage after the strikes showed grieving relatives holding the bodies of several children, including babies.

The commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in southwestern later apologized for the deaths, saying the strikes on the compound had been ordered because insurgents were using them as a base.

U.S. and NATO commanders have stepped up the use of air strikes and night raids in the past 12 months, arguing they are effective weapons against insurgents who often hide among the Afghan population.

However commanders have significantly tightened the rules for using both tactics over the past two years amid a growing outcry from Afghan leaders.

U.N. figures show that at least three-quarters of civilians are caused by insurgents but it is those by NATO forces which cause the most anger among ordinary Afghans.

Karzai repeated that he had given NATO a "last warning" over air strikes and night raids but again did not go into any details about what his government would do if the tactics were not stopped. He said he hoped to meet ISAF commanders in Kabul later this week.

"Afghanistan has a lot of ways of stopping it ... But we would like NATO to stop it on their own," Karzai said.

The latest NATO strikes came at a time of high anti-Western sentiment in Afghanistan, and with a gradual security transition from foreign forces to Afghans due to begin in several areas in July.

The argument over air strikes and night raids also comes at a time of heightened violence across the country since the Taliban began their spring offensive at the start of May.

(Additional reporting by Hamid Shalizi; Writing by Paul Tait; Editing by Alex Richardson)

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Storm kills 1, destroys 20 homes

(CNN) -- About 200 homes are damaged and at least 20 are destroyed after a reported tornado in Kansas late Saturday, an emergency management spokeswoman said Sunday.

"The hardest hit area in the northeastern part of the state is in Reading, Kansas, in Lyon County," said Sharon Watson of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.

She said one person from Reading was killed.

Watson said the agency received a report of a tornado touching down at 9:15 p.m. CT Saturday.

The National Weather Service did not immediately confirm whether a tornado struck, but Lyon County said Sunday it was responding to damage from a tornado that struck Reading.

"Emergency Management personnel are on site and no one will be allowed in the (affected) area unless requested," a statement from the county said. "No one will be allowed to search for items or to walk through the area."

Severe storms hit northeastern Kansas from about 6 p.m. until midnight.

"The first significant calls of damage came in about 6:30 p.m. local in Shawnee County," Watson said. "There was significant damage caused by large hail, which broke windows and broke tree limbs."

In Jefferson County, a mobile home was destroyed and an elderly couple was trapped inside, Watson said. She said first responders cleared the debris and rescued the couple, who were not hurt.

CNN's Leslie Tripp contributed to this report.

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Austin, Texas, wildfire contained; 18 homes damaged

in drought-stricken Texas.

The fire in southwest Austin destroyed at least eight homes and damaged 10 others. The suspect, whose name has not been released, is charged with reckless endangerment. He is being held on $50,000 bond.

About 200 homes had been evacuated, but many of those residents were being allowed back in late Sunday. Two streets were still closed to traffic and residents, Smith said.

Lindsey Senn fled her house after hearing neighbors banging on doors and shouting warnings. The 22-year-old said she looked out her door, saw smoke everywhere, grabbed her pets and left.

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Oklahoma fires force evacuation of hundreds of homes

Oklahoma fires force the evacuation of more than 1,000 homes By the CNN Wire Staff STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: It has burned approximately 3,500 acresNEW: A large fire west of Lawton, Oklahoma, is about 65% contained In nearby Texas, a firefighter dies after flames hit his truck (CNN) -- Strong winds whipped up two wildfires in southern Oklahoma on Friday, forcing the evacuation of more than 1,000 homes.

The first fire, a large grass fire, burned west of Lawton, which is about 80 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. It forced people in approximately 900 homes and the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to evacuate, according to Comanche County officials.

Roughly 50 firefighters were working to battle the blaze, officials said in a statement Friday night, but helicopters could not be brought in because of the strong winds. The fire, which was about 65% contained, has burned some 3,500 acres.

Seven structures, including barns, sheds and outbuildings, have been lost so far, officials said. One home was damaged.

The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for Lawton on Friday, warning of possible early evening gusts of up to 60 miles per hour. The weather service said strong winds would likely complicate fire-fighting efforts.

Crews were also battling a second blaze in northern Comanche County that was about 65% contained Friday night, officials said. Evacuations were issued for about 130 homes in that area. Four unoccupied structures have been destroyed in the fire, which has scorched about 2,200 acres, officials said.

The American Red Cross opened an evacuation shelter to help house families forced from their homes.

Meanwhile, in northern Texas, a firefighter died when flames hit his truck, said Marq Webb, spokesman for the Texas State Lone Star Incident Management Team. The firefighter was a local firefighter from Eastland County, he said.

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More than 150 homes damaged by powerful storm in Wisconsin

A storm leaves damage behind Sunday in Arkdale, Wisconsin. Northeast of Arkdale, a storm struck 157 homes in Kaukauna. STORY HIGHLIGHTSDaylight reveals extensive storm damage across Wisconsin157 homes are damaged or destroyed in city of Kaukauna; no one is hurtLincoln County officials do a door-to-door search after the stormRELATED TOPICSWeatherWisconsin (CNN) -- Shock and sadness etched the faces of residents in northeastern Wisconsin as daylight on Monday revealed the damage left behind by a powerful storm that cut a swath through the state.

An emergency declaration has been made for the city of Kaukauna, where early estimates were that 157 homes had been either damaged or destroyed Sunday night, the city's police chief said.

City officials, including the police, fire, planning and utility departments, went out in four teams for the morning assessment.

"This tornado, what we believe is a tornado, moved through, hit the back of houses, jumped over the front of those, then hit the front of the houses homes and hit the front of the houses on the other side of the street," said Kaukauna Police Chief John Manion.

Despite the damage estimates, which officials believe will grow, no injuries were reported in Kaukauna from the storm.

"People were well warned," Manion said. "That contributes to life."

Kaukauna is about 20 miles southwest of Green Bay.

Authorities in Lincoln County, in northern Wisconsin, did a door-to-door search after the Sunday night storm.

At least 25 homes suffered severe damage, said Mark Handlin of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. The worst damage was north of Merrill, about 170 miles north-northwest of Milwaukee, he said.

Crews are working to clear downed trees and power lines, Handlin said. A shelter has been set up at a motel.

Two residents were airlifted to a larger regional hospital because of the extent of their injuries, said Brian Sladek, director of Lincoln County emergency management. Other minor injuries were reported.

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Homes burned, threatened by massive fire in Texas

By the CNN Wire Staff STORY HIGHLIGHTSFire burns more than 71,786 acres in three countiesFire traveled 12 miles in less than four hours, official saidTwo homes burned, 12 others are threatened, according to the Texas Forest Service (CNN) -- A fast-moving fire has charred more than 71,786 acres in three Texas counties, and it's expected to grow, the state's forest service said Friday.

The blaze, which started in Stonewall County, moved quickly into neighboring Knox and King counties, destroying two homes and threatening at least a dozen more, said April Saginor, a Texas Forest Service worker.

According to Saginor, on Thursday, the flames traveled 12 miles in less than four hours, jumping the Brazos River and leaving only charred debris in its path.

Air tankers have dropped at least 58,000 gallons of retardant on the massive fire, and officials said they believe it will take several more days before they get it under control.

"Last night, it looked like it was snowing because there was white ash falling from the sky," Knox County attorney Megan Suarez said.

Despite heavy smoke and zero containment of the fire in Knox County, Suarez said there have been no evacuations so far.

Local officials are handling an unconfirmed number of evacuations in other counties, Saginor said.

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