FARGO, N.D. — A Red River flood that a week ago was predicted to challenge the record is now unlikely to reach the 100,000-plus sandbags and the miles of clay levees built for defense, Fargo officials said Monday.
(More: Red River Flood Concerns)
The National Weather Service lowered Wednesday's expected crest forecast in Fargo and Moorhead, Minn., to 35.5 feet, which would be the ninth-highest flood but virtually a non-event in Fargo, as most structures are protected to 38 feet.
"It can be frustrating," Fargo city engineer April Walker, a flood control specialist, said Monday when asked about a flood fight that will be for naught. "But at the same time it's way better to be prepared than have the crest rise and not be prepared for that."
AP PHOTO/DAVE KOLPACK
Walker spoke outside Fargo City Hall, which oddly enough is one of the few buildings that needs emergency protection when the Red River reaches 30 feet, which is considered major flood stage.
"We're good. We've got everything we need out there and in place," Walker said. "We're watching and waiting for the crest to occur."
Workers have spent the last week building emergency floodwalls to protect Fargo to 40 feet after an earlier weather service prediction based on historical probabilities and included the possibility of a rapid snowmelt and steady precipitation. Instead, the conditions were ideal for a gradual melt cycle.
"We were very concerned as all signals were pointing to both a rapid warm-up and heavy rain for us in the latter half of April," said Greg Gust, weather service meteorologist. "For the southern Red River Basin, the long and agonizingly slow thaw season has worked out well."
(More: Fargo Forecast)
Flood cleanup is likely to start next week, when crews will begin picking up sandbags from neighborhoods and tearing down clay levees. Removal of the earthen dikes has typically cost about $330,000 for each mile, Walker said.
"We all do the best we can with each event," Walker said. "The city has to be prepared and we appreciate those people who did come out and help hit the mark we needed to hit."
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