Hollywood actor Josh Duhamel says he believes his North Dakota hometown will rebuild from a devastating flood, and on Saturday he shared that hopeful message with thousands of people attending a benefit concert he helped plan.
Images of flooded Minot neighborhoods appeared on large video screens as Duhamel, 38, spoke on stage about the city's recovery efforts in between performances from Minneapolis-based rockers Charlz Newman and headlining act The Black Eyed Peas. His wife, Fergie, is a Black Eyed Peas member.
The concert at the State Fairgrounds in Minot was sold out, with more than 12,000 tickets going for $100 each. Duhamel said money from the Minot Rising show and a recovery fund will help buy materials for people rebuilding their homes.
The 38-year-old Minot native, who stars in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," thanked his mother, Bonny Kemper, for helping members of their family and others who were affected by this summer's flood.
The record Souris River flooding temporarily forced about 11,000 people from their homes and damaged about 4,100 houses and hundreds of businesses. The home where Duhamel grew up and his sister and her family's home were severely damaged. The middle school he attended remained submerged to its roofline for nearly a month and will likely be condemned.
Duhamel also met with flood victims and toured a Red Cross shelter during his visit to Minot over the Labor Day weekend.