April 4, 2006.
Fargo, Minnesota.
Photographer states :: In Fargo, North Dakota earthen dikes have been built to keep the water out. This stretch of dike continues for many blocks through the middle of town. The crest in Fargo should come sometime today at almost 37.5'
By GREGG AAMOT
HENDRUM, Minn. Apr 5, 2006 (AP)— The Red River and Wild Rice River crept toward flood crests Wednesday near this small northwest Minnesota town, but a stout earthen dike kept the community mostly dry, allowing flood-fighters to focus on sandbagging around farmhouses.
Workers pumped away water that seeped through the levee forming a square around Hendrum, one of many towns that beefed up flood protection after the disastrous flood of 1997.
"We are still sitting pretty dry in town," said Mike Smart, who serves as both police chief and flood coordinator in the town of about 315 people.
Melting snow and heavy rain pushed the Red River quickly above its banks this spring, causing anxiety all along the river that serves as the state line between Minnesota and North Dakota.
Hendrum sits in a precarious spot in the broad valley, sandwiched between the Red River a mile to the west and the Wild Rice River a mile to the east.
The Red River had been rising steadily at Fargo, N.D., but the National Weather Service said it had crested and by Wednesday morning was just over 37.1 feet; flood stage is 18 feet. It was expected to start slowly receding later in the day, but meteorologists said it would not drop below 30 feet until next week.
It's still too early to "pass the champagne and cigars," said Fargo's public works director, Dennis Walaker. He said it would take at least six days before the city reaches a comfort level.
Cass County's emergency manager Dave Rogness estimated flood damage to roads and bridges in the county surrounding Fargo could total more than $1 million.
Downstream from Fargo, in Grand Forks, the Red was expected to crest Wednesday afternoon at 47.7 feet about 20 above flood stage, but not above the city's levee protection level.
Showers were forecast in the southern fringe of the Red River basin that could prolong the high water river levels but weren't expected to cause new problems, said Lynn Kennedy, a hydrometeorological technician with the National Weather Service.
Governors tour flooded Red River Valley
Flood preparations are finished in Fargo-Moorhead and people are waiting for the river to crest in the next day. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven both toured the area Tuesday.
The governors say the flood fight appears to be well in hand.Officials say it appears rain forecast for this week will not push the river significantly higher.
Red River Threatens to Flood N.D., Minn. Staff and agencies
04 April, 2006
By DAVE KOLPACK, 25 minutes ago
FARGO, N.D. - Farm land sat under water and city residents stacked sandbags Tuesday as the Red River, swollen with melting snow and heavy rain, spread across its broad valley.
"Right now, it‘s a lake," Gov. John Hoeven said after flying over the Red River Valley. "I mean, it just spread out. There‘s a lot of water."
In the surrounding rural area, officials sent out boats to check on residents whose homes were no longer accessible. They had already shut down dozens of roads, said Cass County Commissioner Vern Bennett.
Just across the Red River, near Moorhead, Minn., about a dozen homes were surrounded by water, and residents were using boats to get supplies, Clay County Sheriff Bill Bergquist said. Moorhead officials built a dike in a park on the city‘s south side, where about 100 homes were at risk.
Weather forecasters had some unwelcome news Tuesday, as well: More rain is expected in the area later in the week, and it could extend the flooding in some areas, said National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Gust.
The Wild Rice River was expected to crest there Wednesday about 13 feet above flood stage, though a levee and temporary dike were expected to keep the city dry, said Kevin Ruud, environmental services director for the county.
In Grand Forks, Mayor Mike Brown declared an emergency although officials said they expected no major problems.
