Weather service lowers its projected Red River crest by a half-foot for Fargo, ND, area

Weather service lowers predicted Red River crest

FARGO, N.D. — The projected crest of the Red River at Fargo, N.D., has dropped a half-foot, which is good news for a city braced for flooding.

The National Weather Service revised its projection Friday to show the Red at 19.5 feet above the flood stage by Sunday morning. That’s down from an earlier forecast of 20 feet.

Spokesman Mark Frazier says models suggest water levels should decline slowly but steadily after the crest, though flooding from the river could continue to threaten homes and roads much of next week.

He says it’s doubtful that another flood this large will happen in the Fargo area this season, though heavy spring rains could cause temporary bumps because the land will remain saturated for a while.

(This version corrects latest forecast to 19.5 feet above the flood stage.)