RELIEF FELT AS RED RIVER FLOOD LEVELS BEGIN TO DECLINE

April 13, 2006 — As the flood crest on the Red River of the North nears Pembina, N.D., and the Canadian border, emergency management officials, local governments and state and federal officials are breathing a collective sigh of relief as flood waters slowly decline in upstream areas. Concerns about potential record flooding are being replaced by feelings of satisfaction that lives and property were protected. (Click NOAA image for larger view of the Buffalo River flowing over Clay County Highway 26, seven miles north of Dilworth, Minn., taken on April 1, 2006. Click here for high resolution version. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Falling short of records set in 1997, the flood crest on the Red River has passed the major cities of Fargo and Grand Forks, N.D., and the smaller communities of Halstad, Minn., and Drayton, N.D. As the crest takes aim at Pembina, N.D., local officials and NOAA National Weather Service river forecasters are confident steps have been taken to keep damage to a minimum.

The Red River has dropped below crest levels of last weekend and is slowly falling in most areas of its south-to-north drainage. The river crested April 9 at 33.37 feet in Fargo, 39.01 feet in Halstad, Minn., and at 46.19 feet in Grand Forks. It crested in Drayton, Minn., at 42.9 feet April 10.

The Red River is expected to crest at 52 feet in Pembina on April 14.

State Incident Manager Terri Smith at the Minnesota State Emergency Operations Center extended his “heartfelt thanks for your roles in flood fight 2006" in an e-mail to cooperating agencies from this Twin Cities office.

"There are many great stories to be told this Spring," Smith wrote. "Some of my favorites are preparedness, mitigation and the teamwork of government at all levels. I don't want another day to get away without letting you know what a positive difference our relationships with you make. Not only is it comforting, but the trust is there—that there are professionals like you and your colleagues working day and night, side by side with us for the best outcome possible—in a word, priceless."

Smith singled out the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the NOAA North Central River Forecast Center in Chanhassen, Minn., and the NOAA National Weather Service forecast offices in Grand Forks and Chanhassen for special recognition and thanks. Personnel from those agencies and numerous local and county emergency management and water management agencies participated in daily conference calls to share information on flood forecasts, river stage updates and consultations throughout the weeks-long period of flooding. "You all have done an outstanding job. Thank you for the privilege of working with you," Smith wrote.

Dave McShane, meteorologist-in-charge of the NOAA National Weather Service forecast office in Grand Forks, said all those involved in flood mitigation efforts were to be commended for their dedication and professionalism. Assistance from personnel at Central Region Headquarters in Kansas City and the North Central River Forecast Center allowed his staff to maintain focus on local forecasts and conditions and getting the latest information to media and the public. The local staff, he said, has earned the respect and gratitude of Red River Valley residents.

"Your professional focus on every aspect of our forecasting process has helped immensely all those who have needed accurate and timely environmental information," he told the Grand Forks forecast staff. "Your communications and coordination have been second to none! Your ability to act, respond to changing priorities and your flexibility have ensured we stayed ahead of the problem."

NOAA National Weather Service Central Region Director Lynn Maximuk said the successful 2006 Red River flood fight demonstrated the continued improvement in cooperation and coordination among local, state and federal governments in protecting the public.

"Red River Valley residents are as experienced as anyone in the country in contending with spring run-off floods," Maximuk said. "Major flooding is a possibility almost every year because of the flat terrain, early freezes and a frequently above normal snow pack. Local communities have made significant investments in flood control and mitigation efforts while state and federal governments have refined their own operations and coordination efforts.

"In situations like this, success depends on cooperation among everyone, including the public, but I want to especially commend our NOAA National Weather Service teams at Grand Forks and the North Central River Forecast Center for providing timely and accurate forecasts that kept people informed and safe."

NOAA forecasters in Grand Forks had closely monitored the Red River since snow pack in parts of the drainage reached 300 percent of normal. The potential for major flooding along the Red River was highlighted in NOAA's 2006 Spring Outlook issued March 16. Flooding began in late March and went into high gear following the rain on March 30-31 that dropped up to 1 1/4 inches on the southern portions of the basin. That rain paired with warm temperatures and a rapid snow melt, pushing a serious situation into a critical one, according to Brad Bramer of the Grand Forks forecast office.

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Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Information on Red River Flood Levels

NOAA Local Area Flooding Photos

NOAA Current River Levels and Forecasts Across the U.S.

NOAA Flood Safety

NOAA Flood Safety Podcast

Media Contact:
Pat Slattery, NOAA National Weather Service Central Region, (816) 891-8914 ext. 621