 President Obama has already declared a state of emergency in this area, because of flood waters that could reach over 44 feet! It's already 22 feet above the flood stage - 22 feet! That's over the roof line of many of the houses!
The state has already mobilized the National Guard to help local police and fire departments with the rescue and evacuation. Officials said they were increasing the number of National Guard troops from 1,700 to 1,850 and bringing in hundreds of large bags that hold a ton of sand and could be dropped by helicopter into breaks in the levees. Predator drones began flying overhead Saturday morning, providing military-style surveillance of the situation and allowing authorities to react quickly if flooding worsens.
National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Hudson said the Red River began receding Saturday morning, surprising residents who were bracing for a crest on Sunday. But the river can still fluctuate up to a foot and may remain at dangerous levels for a week, meaning people will still have to wait several days before they are completely safe.
"The best news we can take from this is the river has crested," Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker said. "But diligence is going to have to be required for at least eight more days and hopefully things will continue to drop."
Forecasters say the river is retreating because cold temperatures have been freezing water that normally would be flowing into the river. By the time that water thaws, the biggest flooding threat should have passed, Hudson said.
The weather service said the river crested around midnight at 40.82 feet. As of 2 p.m., it had dropped to around 40.61 feet, a significant shift from earlier forecasts that predicted the river would crest as high as 43 feet — the same level as the dikes protecting Fargo.Labels: flood, north dakota |
