Fargo flooding - March 2009
National Guard troops wade through icy floodwater near Fargo, N.D. According to the National Weather Service, the Red River began receding Saturday morning, surprising many residents. Still, the river can remain at dangerous levels for a week. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)
Homes in Fargo, a city of 90,000, are surrounded by floodwater and ice. The twisting tree line indicates where the Red River flowed before the flooding. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)
The Red River crested lower than expected Saturday because, forecasters say, cold temperatures have frozen the water that would have flowed into the river. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)
A road sign is the only thing in sight, everything else submerged in water. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)
A barrier blocks water from flooding a home in Fargo.
Its critically important that were vigilant in inspecting those levees to ensure theyre stable, said city engineer Mark Bittner. We encourage neighborhoods to get together and have their own dike patrols and assist us. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)
Nick Seaver, left, and Brad Vesta help other volunteers pump water out of a basement in Moorhead, Minn. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)
A lone tractor crosses a flooded road in Fargo, N.D. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)
