New flood forecast gives roughly 45 percent chance to match 2009 record crest in Fargo-Moorhead

FARGO – An updated spring flood outlook released today gives the Red River at Fargo-Moorhead roughly a 45 percent chance of reaching the 2009 record crest, up from about a 35 percent chance in the last outlook issued March 3.

The National Weather Service outlook says there’s an even chance the river will reach 40.5 feet and a 40 percent chance it will hit 41 feet, or just over the record crest of 40.84 feet.

There’s a 30 percent chance the river will rise to 41.8 feet, a 20 percent chance of 43.3 feet and a 10 percent chance of 44.4 feet.

The city is building its flood protection to 44 feet to protect to a river level of 42 feet with 2 feet of freeboard.

The weather service will present the outlook at 11 a.m. today in Fargo.

Tags: north dakota flooding, weather