Weather Service Lowers Flood Crest Range In Fargo
FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- People in Fargo, N.D., say they're ready for what seems to be the annual threat of spring flooding from the Red River.
On Thursday, the National Weather Service lowered its projected flood crest range for the Red River in Fargo by a foot. The weather service says the river could crest as early as Sunday between 39 and 40 feet. Previous estimates put the river as high as 41 feet.
The Red's projected 40-foot crest would still place it near historic highs. But the roughly 200,000 people of Fargo and neighboring Moorhead, Minn., have learned well from fighting the spring flood threat each of the past two years.
The cities started filling sandbags earlier than usual, bought out more homes in flood-prone areas and have more quick-install diking systems. And they have plenty of warning of the flood threat from heavy snowfall this winter.
The flood threat is widespread in the Midwest this spring, but many other cities have taken the same steps as Fargo.
It's the third straight year of major flooding in Fargo and neighboring Moorhead, Minn. The 2009 crest set a record at 40.84 feet. Last year's crest of 36.99 feet was the sixth-highest on record.
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