Many people around the world deal with environmental destruction. Whether it is a natural or man-made disaster, both end in sudden calamities. An example of a natural disaster is the 1997 Red River flood in Grand Forks, North Dakota. One of the unique aspects of the Red River is that it flows north and empties into Lake Winnepeg in Canada. However, because the temperature tends to get colder as you move north, ice jams are often a Red River concern during the spring season. The National Weather Service began issuing warnings as early as February about likely flooding from the spring melt. Due to the severe winter in Grand Forks, characterized by a cruel blizzard, the amount of snow melt was exceeded. In an effort to prevent the flood, the North Dakota National Guard dumped sand on the river in hopes of using the sun's heat energy to speed melting and clear ice jams. Unable to control the excess water, the flood of the century began. On April 18, 1997, the Red River's water level was 52.19 feet high and rising at a rate of one inch every hour thereafter. The flood began to devastate some areas of the city one after another and people with the few possessions they could get hold of had to evacuate immediately. After six days of flooding the river finally began to recede and people were allowed to return. The amount of dirt left behind by the flood was incredible. Much of the property had been destroyed and virtually everything else had been contaminated by water. Everything that was washed away by the water turned into garbage and many had to start all over again. Post-flood cleanup at the landfill totaled 224 million tons, or nine months' worth of trash. An example of a man-made catastrophe is the World Trade Center tragedy. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America had a great effect on the environment of New York and the political and emotional landscape of the United States. This will be remembered as one of the most shocking days in American history. Armed terrorists hijacked four passenger planes and used them as weapons against the United States. The attacks destroyed the World Trade Center, damaged the Pentagon and killed three thousand people. The cleanup was a very emotional and strenuous effort by firefighters, police and many volunteers.