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Brief SummaryThe Red River broke the 100 year flood crest record at Fargo, ND on Thursday, April 17th, 1997. The river crested at 39.6 feet, 22.6 feet above flood stage, which also broke the 100 year record of 39.1 feet. Federal disaster aid was made available for people and communities in the Dakotas and portions of Minnesota. The declaration covers damage resulting from flooding, severe winter storms, high winds, heavy spring rain, rapid snow melt, and ice jams.North Dakota has thus far reported 7 deaths, with Minnesota reporting 4 deaths. Approximately 90 percent of Grand Forks was under water at one point as the Red River crested at 26 feet above flood stage and remained near that level for several days. 60,000 residents were forced to evacuate Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. In the Grand Forks area alone, overall damages and cleanup costs are estimated in the $1-2 billion range. A long winter of numerous heavy snowstorms is to account for this disaster. Also, an early April blizzard which dumped up to 3 feet of snow in parts of the northern plains made river level forecasting even more difficult, as the water content and rate of melting of this new snow added another variable to the equation. Several records set by the Red River included:
Wahpeton--19.2 feet The Minnesota River also caused a great deal of damage, although less extensive than the Red River. Finally, North Dakota's Devils Lake has expanded to more than twice its normal size and may set a new record for its highest level (existing record set in 1830). This has caused local flooding in the area and may worsen over the next few weeks. This is the third major flood event of the past 5 months in the U.S., with late December - early January in California and the Northwest being the first, and early March in the Ohio Valley being the second. Damages for these events combined probably exceed $4 billion. See the links under Additional Resources for more information. Images
Additional ResourcesNWS Flood SummaryNWS National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center Federal Emergency Management Agency Grand Forks Herald Newspaper North Dakota State University - Coping with Floods USA Today - Flood Factors Graphics
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Created by Tom.Ross@noaa.gov, Neal.Lott@noaa.gov, Doug.Ross@noaa.gov Downloaded Saturday, 20-Sep-2008 14:37:28 EDT Last Updated Thursday, 19-Jan-2006 20:07:30 EST Please see the NCDC Contact Page if you have questions or comments. |