Red River broke crest of 1997 flood at 7 p.m. tonight

[uppityperson]

Source: Fargo Forum

The Red River in Fargo-Moorhead now has reached 39.61 feet, edging past the 1997 crest of 39.57 feet. That level was recorded at 7:15 p.m., the latest available.

Earlier today the National Weather Service revised its upper crest from 41 to 42 feet, with 43 feet possible, by Saturday.

The highest flood on record, in 1897, is 40.1 feet. The Red River in the metro area is expected to reach that milestone around midnight tonight.

"You're in uncharted territory, I guess," National Weather Service meteorologist John Hoppes said.

Read more: http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/235345

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crap crap crap

[AnnieBW]

1. Geeze

You guys stay safe up there.

#virtual sandbags#

[Sultana]

2. I won't sleep tonight

I fear for my family

:(

[uppityperson]

3. Where is your family? PM me if you want.

I have cousins in low south Fargo also, bet they have moved out of their place for a bit. Where is your family?

[Duer 157099]

4. Wonder how Big Eddie is doing? Haven't listened to him this week

Anyone know?

[uppityperson]

5. Link to GD topic, am putting more info there.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5337836&mesg_id=5337836

[HereSince1628]

6. It will be a crisis if the replica Stave Church and Viking Ship become flooded

They are cultural icons of Minne-wegia

Bring more dynamite to the Red River!
Bomb the Red!
Screw salty Devil's Lake.

[Sultana]

9. I remember visiting the Viking ship as a kid

childhood memories....

[uppityperson]

13. The Hjelm Toast! Or some such. It would just float off. Wonder what they are doing about it

It floats. Now that would be funny. I'd hate to see the church destroyed though. That church is very nice.

[Odin2005]

16. The boat and church are local icons. I'll be very sad if they are damaged or destroyed.

[uppityperson]

17. If they can get the boat out of the building, it will float. Didn't they sail it

before they mothballed it? I'd be sad also, they are very nice working pieces of art, if that makes sense.

[uppityperson]

31. WDAY says base of Center is 40 ft. List of heights of things...

Looks like they will get water in the building. How are you doing today?

Edited to add this:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/weekly.php?wfo=fgf&gage=fgon8&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1&toggles=10,7,8,2,9,15,6

41.3 Fargo...Top elevation of the Island Park permanent levee.
40.2 Fargo...Top elevation of the emergency levees.
40.0 Fargo...Top of the Island Park dike. Moorhead...Red River is lapping at the base of the Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center.
39.8 Fargo...Top of the Veteran Affairs Center dike.
38.2 Fargo...Convent Bridge at 52nd Avenue South is closed.
36.3 Fargo...Clearance height of 1st Avenue bridge.
35.0 Moorhead...Actions taken to prevent storm sewers from backing up.
34.4 Fargo...Northern-Pacific...Center Avenue bridge clearance.
34.0 Fargo...Sandbagging starts on dike near 15th Avenue and Elm Street North if the river is forecast to rise above 36.5 feet.
33.0 Fargo...Dike is constructed south of lift station to near 2nd Street and Main Avenue. Additional sandbagging on Elm Street dike near Woodland Drive. If river is forecast to rise above 37 feet, put extra earth on centerline of 10th Avenue South. 1979 Design top of dike at El Zagel golf course. Moorhead...Start diking to protect the Hjemkomst Center.
32.5 Fargo...Bridge at 1st Avenue and 2nd Street North closed for construction of temporary dike on 2nd Street. 1st Avenue North bridge across Red river closed for construction of temporary dike across 1st Avenue North. Moorhead...1st Avenue North bridge is closed.
31.0 Moorhead...1st Avenue North underpass is closed.
30.0 Major Flood Stage. Fargo...Flooding at 2nd and 3rd Avenue North areas. 2nd Street closed between Main Avenue and 4th Street. Temporary dike constructed to protect area within Oak Street dike; 58 feet South of 9th Avenue North. Moorhead...Water crosses entrance road to Gooseberry Mounds Park.
28.0 Fargo...12th Street toll bridge is closed. Construction begins on the dike to protect sewage treatment plant if forecast is above 34 feet. Moorhead...15th Avenue North river bridge is closed.
25.0 Moderate Flood Stage. Fargo...City Parks and Recreation areas along the river begin to flood.
24.0 Fargo...2nd Street closes between 1st and 3rd Avenue North for construction of temporary dike that protects City Hall if the river is forecast to rise above 31 feet.
23.3 Fargo...North Broadway bridge floods.
22.7 Fargo...Gage walls at Island Park are closed.
20.6 Fargo...North Broadway bridge is closed.
19.0 Fargo...Low-level dam south of Main Avenue is underwater.
18.0 Flood Warning Stage...minor. Fargo...North lane of Elm St between 14th and 15th Avenue is closed.
17.7 Fargo...Sanitary Sewers affected. Pump station at Island Park is started.
17.0 Forecast Service Stage. Fargo...Water rises to the edge of the bike path at El Zagel bowl along Elm Street North between 14th and 15th Avenues. Bankfull Stage.

[uppityperson]

41. picture of the church for you

[uppityperson]

42. boat with wet feet?

http://www.inforum.com/event/image/id/260174/

[applegrove]

7. At midnight it is supposed to hit its highest point.

[uppityperson]

32. Chart showing river level. Cresting around midnight Sat, notice it stays high too

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=fgf&gage=fgon8&rssDate=1231438500

[tomreedtoon]

8. Let's see if FEMA is willing to save white people.

Because we know what happened elsewhere.

[AndrewP]

10. WE DID IT!!!

That is just a joke of course.

I am in the middle of it and all you can try to do is get through it.

[uppityperson]

18. our old house is 1 block from this dike. More picts...

http://www.ndsu.edu/fargo_geology/fldphotos2009.htm

[carlyhippy]

11. Moorhead evacuation orders s of I94 w of 8th and oakport twshp

it's a mess, water, cold water, ice, snow and cold temps...

[uppityperson]

15. It's low there. They are evacing a couple retirement homes (nursing homes?) in s Fgo too.

cold, wet, brrrrrrr

[CatholicEdHead]

19. Now the hosptials are being evacuated

http://www.valleynewslive.tv/artman2/publish/valleynewslive_topheadlines/11151.shtml

[uppityperson]

20. I just read that also. That is going to freak me out. Excuse me a moment.

Back from checking FEMA floodplain map and I see no reason to do this except maybe electricity/water issues. OK, I am worried. I really hate not being able to predict what will happen, being fearful rather than just doing what needs to be done.

Edited to say I took a closer look at the map, and while they are above the "500 yr flood" level, water could get within a few blocks on 2 sides, so I guess they are playing it safe. Thinking electricity, water, access issues.

http://gis.ci.fargo.nd.us/website/fargo/viewer.asp?TheValue=fgofloodstage&Cmd=INIT

[uppityperson]

22. MeritCare statment...

http://www.meritcare.com/About/MeritCareFeatures/View_Article.aspx?id=44

After consulting with local and state emergency services, to ensure the safest possible evacuation of patients from the city, MeritCare is initiating the evacuations of hospital patients as of 8:30 p.m., Thursday, March 26.

MeritCare Hospital and MeritCare South University Hospital are starting the process of evacuating hospital patients out of the Fargo-Moorhead area tonight.

MeritCare is working with local and state emergency operations centers to coordinate the safest transfer of patients to available hospitals that will be able to continue their required care. Some of the hospitals include Abbot Northwestern, Minneapolis, North Country Hospital, Bemidji, Minn., Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, S.D., and St. Alexius, Bismarck, N.D.

MeritCare's first priority is ensuring a safe and orderly transfer for patients and their families. MeritCare is communicating directly with patients and their families regarding their transfer and plan for continued care. Patients are being transferred by LifeFlight, ambulances and buses. Medical providers including physicians, nurses and EMT's are accompanying patients, depending on the level of care necessary for each patient. Necessary medical equipment and supplies are also being transferred with each patient.

The number of patients being evacuated is 180 and includes patients with care needs ranging from minor to critical.

The Emergency Center at MeritCare's downtown location will remain open. We will be stabilizing patients and transporting them to other hospitals.

On Friday, MeritCare Southpointe and West Fargo Clinics will remain open for primary care walk-in care only; all other primary care locations in Fargo-Moorhead will be closed. Walk-In Clinic, Children's Walk-In Clinic and Fast Track locations will remain open. The Infusion Center will be operating out of the South University Day Unit for scheduled patients only and out-patient dialysis will be open.

[Odin2005]

12. I am now officially scared shitless.

:scared:

[uppityperson]

14. Keep reminding yourself, it is flat there. If dikes break, it will be a cold wet mess

but people should be ok.

(reminder to me, keep telling myself that). Congratulations on the record. I'll be checking back in a few hrs, read they are expecting 41 ft around midnight. If people stay off the streets for the next few days, that will help also.

hugs to you

[uppityperson]

21. Police announce road closures for Friday

These are all the big major roads.
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/235378/group/home/

The Fargo Police Department has announced the closure of several roads that will be used for flood truck traffic only beginning at 6 a.m. Friday.

The closures are as follows:

- University Dr. from 35th Ave. N. to 40th Ave. S.

- 10th St. from 13th Ave. S. to 19th Ave. N.

- NP Ave. from University Dr. to the river

- 7th Ave. N. from University Dr. to the river

- 19th Ave. N. from University Dr. to Elm St.

The North Dakota National Guard will be assisting police at significant intersections to ensure the smooth flow of truck traffic and to block civilian traffic from using these roadways. Cross traffic will be allowed in a controlled manner.

Police are requesting the assistance of the public to ensure these critical roadways are kept open to allow flood fighting efforts to continue as rapidly as possible.

[borelord]

23. petition your gevernment ot build a floodway

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River_Floodway

its the only reason us winnipeggers up north of you aren't worried about the red too (although two outlying communities are partially under water unfortunately).

I remember sandbagging in '97 and I feel your pain.

[uppityperson]

24. Red River tops 40 feet on way to anticipated record crest

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/235421/group/home/
The Red River topped the 40-foot level early this morning for the second time in recorded history.

The river reading was 40.01 feet at 12:15 a.m.

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks, N.D., continues to maintain the Red River will crest between 41 or 42 feet, and possibly up to 43 feet, on Saturday.

The record for the Red River in Fargo is 40.1 feet, reached in 1897.

[uppityperson]

25. Just broke record high flood.

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/235423/group/home/
In an unprecedented moment in recorded history, the Red River in Fargo this morning eclipsed the mark for its largest crest.

The Red River read 40.15 feet at 2:15 a.m., topping the previous mark of 40.1 feet set in 1897.

Floodwaters forced residents to flee to higher ground Thursday in Fargo, Moorhead and the surrounding area, as forecasters warned that the Red River could reach a record 43 feet by Saturday.

The river passed the 1997 flood crest of 39.57 feet just after 7 p.m. Thursday.

[Robbien]

26. North Dakota: Red River tops historic marker, undermines dike

Source: Toronto Sun

FARGO, N.D. — The rising Red River broke a 112-year-old record early Friday and was eroding a dike south of downtown, forcing authorities to issue a mandatory evacuation order covering about 150 homes.

The river had risen to 12.3 metres (40.32 feet) early Friday — more than 6.7 metres (22 feet) above flood stage and ten centimetres more than the previous high water mark of 12.2 metres set April 7, 1897. It was expected to crest at 13 metres, or higher, on Saturday.

Just after 2 a.m. Friday, residents in one neighbourhood were roused from sleep and forced to evacuate after authorities found a significant leak in a dike. Police Capt. Tod Dahle said that while water wasn’t rushing to overtake the neighbourhood, the integrity of the dike was in question.

. . .

Residents in this city of 92,000 had been scrambling in subfreezing temperatures to pile sandbags along the river and spent much of Thursday preparing for a crest of 12.5 metres, only to have forecasters late in the day add significantly to their estimate.

. . .

The first estimate sparked urgency among thousands of volunteers in Fargo. The second shook their spirits.

“I’ve lived here 40 years and over a 30-minute span I’ve reached a point where I’m preparing to evacuate and expect never to sleep in my house again,” said Tim Corwin, 55, whose south Fargo home was sheltered by sandbags to 13.1 metres.

Dick Bailly, 64, choked up as he looked out over his backyard dike.

“It was demoralizing this morning,” Bailly said, his eyes welling. “We got a lot of work to do. People have the will to respond, but you can only fight nature so much, and sometimes nature wins.”

Read more: http://www.torontosun.com/news/world/2009/03/27/8901436-sun.html

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In addition to the entire state of North Dakota being declared a disaster zone, seven Minnesota counties are now being included in the disaster zone declaration.

800 more national guards being called to North Dakota.

[uppityperson]

27. Westboro Baptist Church thanks God for North Dakota’s flooding too

as if that will help them. I can hear North Dakotan's/Minnesotan's take on this.

[tridim]

28. The news footage looks like the beginning of an ice age.

Very scary.

[uppityperson]

30. It is 15 degrees. It is cold. Read a story of a woman with hypothermia last night

Car slid on ice into ditch with 4 feet of water in it. She got out but ended up in the hospital. On the positive side, probably too cold for tornadoes.

[carlyhippy]

38. and it's been warm around here the past few days

it's been below zero many many days the past 3 months.

[uppityperson]

29. Updates, more Ntl Guard, core of Moorhead evaced due to sewers backing up

http://www.inforum.com/event/apArticle/id/D976FPDG0/

The rising Red River broke a 112-year record early Friday and breached one of the dikes fortifying the city, but the mayor pledged to "go down swinging" as he called for more evacuations and additional National Guard troops to prevent a devastating flood.

The river swelled to 40.32 feet _ more than 22 feet above flood stage and inches more than the previous high water mark of 40.1 feet set in 1897. The National Weather Service said it could crest as high as 43 feet on Saturday. Fargo's main dike protects the city at the 43-foot level.

Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker says the city has no plans to build the dike any higher. He says officials believe the Red River will crest at between 41.5 and 42 feet, and there wasn't time to raise the dike again. "We're not going to proceed to take it to 44. Is that a gamble? We don't think so," Walaker said.

Walaker says they are adding 800 members of the guard from North Dakota and South Dakota to patrol dikes for breaches, on top of the 900 troops already in place. They toiled in harsh conditions, with scattered flurries and the wind chill below zero for most of the morning. Officials asked people to stay off of roads to keep streets clear for sandbag trucks and avoid traffic jams that have been plaguing the area....(more)

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/235427/group/home/

In another stunning development, Moorhead advised all residents in the city’s core to evacuate this morning - the second mass evacuation for the city in less than 12 hours.

Based on the latest crest prediction of 42 feet for the Red River, Moorhead police want residents living north of Interstate 94, south of Main Avenue and west of Eighth Street South.

Storm sewers, such as those found on Rivershore Drive, are starting to back up with water, according to a news release issued by the city at 6:17 this morning....

[Gin]

33. my thoughts are with all who are affected by this terrible situation.

gin

[depakid]

34. I can't even begin to imagine flooding in these sorts of temperatures

[uppityperson]

36. It is amazing. Freezing is good& bad

Being sub-freezing means that snow, and the snow on the way, won't melt and add to the flood right now. However, it also means that ice dams form and the rivers back up behind them. Also, being cold and wet is not a good combination. However, people in the midwest have warm clothes and passing sandbags is a good way to keep warm in the cold.

But brrrr indeed. Thinking of dealing with having to get through flood waters when it is sub-freezing is nasty.

[carlyhippy]

39. one of our friends in the Guard was sent back to Fargo

he was there earlier in the week and went back today, thank you Guards for helping take care of the people on the mainland.

[uppityperson]

35. crest forecast remains 41 to 42 feet Saturday, with 43 feet possible

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/235447/group/home/

The National Weather Service remains confident today in predicting a Red River crest of 41 to 42 feet in Fargo-Moorhead beginning Saturday, but allows for a possible 43-foot peak. That word came as forecasters are watching another storm system moving in from the west that could bring more snow to the area on Monday.

The track of the storm remains uncertain, but any snow would come at a time of sustained very high Red River levels through Fargo-Moorhead.

The WDAY forecast for Monday calls for a chance of snow, depending on the path of the system, and a high of 30 degrees. “A direct hit could result in several inches of snow,” according to the Web site. However, the cold snap that has settled over the valley, however, is helping to hold back flows into streams and rivers.

The result is the crest seems to have plateaued for a time today at 40.66 feet as the rate of increase has slowed....

[uppityperson]

37. Red's rise slows considerably after breaking record (Great news!)

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/235454/group/home
he Red River’s rise in Fargo-Moorhead has slowed considerably today, which city officials said is an encouraging development in the fight against record high waters.

After passing the previous record of 40.1 feet at about 2 a.m. today, the river was at a height of 40.61 feet at 9:15 a.m., 40.64 feet at 11:45 a.m., 40.66 feet at both 12:15 and 1:15 p.m., and 40.72 feet at 3:15 p.m.

“It’s really flat right now,” Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker said at a 2 p.m. press conference, adding that some people in southern areas of Fargo said the river level had been flat for three hours. “That’s all good news,” he said. “Whether it’s part of the temperature process, or whether it’s God’s intervention or whatever, it’s always good news that the river starts slowing down a little bit.”

City Commissioner Tim Mahoney said the city was going into dike monitoring mode. Sandbagging operations will cease at 6 p.m., and travel restrictions on major arterial roads will be lifted at that time, he said.

[BrightKnight]

40. Give Gen. Honore another star or two and the power to redeploy

any domestic resources. It should be possible to find the manpower to get the job done. There are probably more than a few Marines at Pendleton.