Relief as Red River crests in Fargo
Last Updated: Sunday, March 21, 2010 | 3:41 PM CT
The Associated Press
A road-closed sign is seen as a temporary flood gate holds back flood water from the Red River in Fargo, N.D., on Sunday. A weeklong fight against flooding there reached its climax, with miles of sandbags and clay dikes expected to hold back the bloated Red River which has now crested. (Jeff Roberson/Associated Press) The Red River crested in Fargo, N.D., on Sunday without doing major damage and caused fears of flooding in the community to recede.
The river topped out at just under 11.27 metres, or nearly six metres over flood stage on Sunday afternoon — well below the city's flood defences, the U.S. National Weather Service said.
"We're bobbling downward," spokesman Greg Gust said. He said the river appeared to be starting a "very slow decline through the remainder of the day."
The river spilled from its banks last week due to runoff from a rapid snowmelt, but it did not rise nearly as much as it did last year when record-breaking floods forced thousand to evacuate the region.
City officials have been on the brink of declaring victory this year, and the region was hoping for mostly dry weather to speed the river's fall by week's end. The forecast was cooperating, with only a small chance of rain in sight over the next few days.
That was good news to residents of North Dakota's largest city, who worried that the river could stay at its crest for several days, straining temporary levees and sandbag dikes.
Flooding this year has been limited mostly to areas just along the Red River in Fargo and neighbouring Moorhead, Minn., where metre-high piles of sandbags have prevented the water from reaching homes. Some yards, bike paths and sports fields have flooded — but without major damage.
In rural areas outside Fargo, more widespread overland flooding from the Red River's smaller tributaries submerged several farm fields and washed out a few roads.
Officials have said they were better prepared for this year's floods than the ones in 2009. Thousands of volunteers filled and placed sandbags and the Army Corps of Engineers built dozens of clay dikes. After the preparations were largely complete, the weather service lowered its crest prediction several times as below-freezing temperatures slowed the melting of snow and skies were free of major rainstorms.
Despite feeling confident, Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker has cautioned residents and officials against celebrating too early and warned people not to take down sandbag dikes and temporary levees just yet.
