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Dakotas, Minnesota Brace for More Flooding
Written by Christina Ward, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
April 10, 2001 — Flood warnings are in effect this week throughout North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, as heavy rain and melting snow continue to push rivers above their banks. Officials have called the National Guard into the region to help pile sandbags and reinforce levees. Of particular concern is the Red River, which flows north along the Minnesota-North Dakota state line. It overflowed four years ago, causing major flood damage — including the destruction of hundreds of homes.
A storm passed through the upper Midwest this weekend, compounding the typical snowmelt of early spring and flooding some streets and homes. In Breckenridge, Minn., the Red River overflowed on Sunday. Local officials and National Guard soldiers helped evacuate families who were stranded in cars or stuck in flooded homes. No injuries were reported. The river was at 16 feet at Breckenridge on Sunday and is expected to crest at 19 feet later in the week, the Associated Press reported.
In Fargo, N.D., Mayor Bruce Furness declared an emergency on Sunday and activated the city's flood-protection plans. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers immediately began work on five emergency dikes, including one that will keep water out of the downtown district. Crews will work around the clock until the earthen dikes are completed; the goal is to finish them by Tuesday morning. The downtown dike is designed to protect against 37 feet of water. On Sunday, the Red River was almost 26 feet at Fargo, and National Weather Service (NWS) officials are predicting a 36-foot crest on Thursday or Friday. Flood stage for the river is 17 feet.
Furness told the media he is confident the city will be protected. "This is a serious situation, [but] this is not a critical situation," he said during a Sunday morning news conference at Fargo City Hall.
The Red River is expected to crest near Grand Forks, N.D., at around 44 feet next week, the Associated Press reported. Officials do not expect a repeat of the devastating 1997 floods that swamped the city. That year, the river peaked at more than 54 feet.
Most towns and cities along the Red River have made extensive flood-protection changes to protect residents from a repeat of the 1997 disaster. The coming week may test the strength of new dikes and levees; NWS forecasts call for more heavy rain on Thursday.
The American Red Cross is monitoring the flood conditions. Chapters in all three states are on alert, and several opened shelters over the weekend for evacuated families. The Red River Valley Chapter in East Grand Forks, Minn., the St. Paul, Minn. Area Chapter, and the Codington County Chapter in South Dakota opened shelters and provided meals. Additional shelters will be opened if further evacuations occur throughout the week.
For more information on flood preparation and safety, contact your local Red Cross chapter or visit the the section of the American Red Cross Web site that addresses to flood safety.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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