It's de-luge-ja vu.
Rivers and streams are rising in the wake of weekend rains, and the Red River is expected to surpass flood stage in Fargo and Wahpeton, N.D.
The Red was to creep above its 10-foot flood stage in Wahpeton overnight Tuesday and crest some time today at around 10½ feet, said Lynn Kennedy, a senior hydrometeorological technician with the National Weather Service.
In Fargo, the Red is expected to pass its 18-foot flood stage sometime this morning on its way to a weekend crest between 19-19½ feet, Kennedy said.
Fargo's Elm Street likely will be closed Thursday or Friday between 14th and 15th avenues north, said Dennis Walaker, the city's public works director.
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Some bike trails near the river may flood, but widespread problems are not expected around the city, Walaker said.
The trouble stems from the 1-1½ inches of rain that fell across the region between Friday and Monday, Kennedy said.
Because the ground was already saturated, the water had nowhere to go but into streams and rivers, said Kennedy, who added the runoff and flooding is not expected to cause serious problems.
The Wild Rice River near Abercrombie, N.D., is also rising, but it probably won't reach flooding levels, Kennedy said.
More rain is expected Sunday night and again around the middle of next week.
"It's going to stay moist for a period of time," Kennedy said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555
