Heavy rains combined with melting snow pushed rivers and streams out of their banks this weekend.
The National Weather Service has posted Flood Warnings and Advisories for all – or portions of – 24 counties in North Dakota and Minnesota – including Grand Forks and Polk.
Some residents were caught by surprise at how quickly the water climbed. KNOX Staff Meteorologist Mark Ewens says a couple of things came into play. “We primed the pump when we had the earlier crest that was quite a bit lower than earlier predictions. We forget all that moisture really didn’t go anywhere…it was in the soil. When the rains fell last weekend that’s why the rivers have responded so quickly…the topsoil was saturated.”
Several roads are experiencing overland flooding. The Grand Forks Sheriff’s Department is reminding motorists not to drive around barricades or through water over the roadways as roads and culverts can wash out within minutes.
With many ditches full of water law enforcement officials are also reminding drivers to keep both hands on the wheel.
Flood notes:
Grand Forks and East Grand Forks crews spent the weekend placing planks in the permanent flood system blocking entrances to the greenway and shutting down the Point Bridge. The Sorlie is expected to close at 10:30 a.m. today. The National Weather Service expects the river to top out around 48.5 feet this week.
Officials in both cities are urging residents to restrict water use with the sanitary system close to capacity. The Grand Forks plant pump 26 million gallons on Saturday – three times normal operation.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) have closed ND 18 at mile point 184 near Inkster due to localized flooding. ND 17 west of Grafton is also closed. US 81 closed in Minto down due to flooding.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol has enacted a road closure on Highway 2 in Crookston (east of Jackson Avenue) due to water over the road.
Highways that remain closed:
• Highway 2 Crookston (east of Jackson Ave)
• Highway 92 from Highway 59 in Brooks to Highway 32
• Highway 220 from Highway 1 to Marshall County Road 5
• Highway 317 from Highway 220 to North Dakota border
Due to anticipated flooding in northwestern Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz has declared a peacetime emergency and authorized the Minnesota National Guard to provide support for emergency flood operations, including personnel, equipment, and resources. EGF Mayor Gander declared a state of emergency due to flooding. The Greenway system is closed because of the rising river levels.
Over the weekend the National Weather Service in Grand Forks measured 3.39 inches of precipitation.
Crookston made a call for sandbaggers over the weekend as the Red Lake River was forecast to crest early this week at 28.5 feet – which would be a new record high. It appears the river may have already topped out at 27.07 feet.
Picture: Mayville (M. McNeal / KNOX)
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