Washington - The waters overwhelming North Dakota's largest
metropolitan area appeared to have reached their peak on Saturday
after prompting thousands to evacuate.
The Red River in Fargo and the neighbouring city of Moorhead had
crested at 12.4 metres and dropped extremely slightly one day earlier
than expected, breaking the record set in 1897 and surpassing severe
flooding 100 years later in 1997, the National Weather Service said.
More than 10,000 residents of North Dakota's largest metropolitan
area evacuated Friday.
Forecasters warned however the water level will remain high for
many days and could yet rise again up to a third of a metre. Cold
weather appeared to have slowed runoff into the river.
US President Barack Obama on Saturday pledged continuing national
support to victims of severe flooding in North Dakota and
neighbouring Minnesota and South Dakota.
In his weekly radio address, Obama also praised the thousands of
volunteers who have filled sandbags to fight the rising waters.
'Even as we face an economic crisis which demands our constant -
focus, forces of nature can also intervene in ways that create other
crises to which we must respond - and respond urgently,' he said.
'For the people of North and South Dakota and Minnesota who live
along rivers spilling over their banks, this is one such moment.'
Obama said federal officials were working with governors in each
state to offer assistance. The Department of Homeland Security and
the Federal Emergency Management Agency were coordinating
Washington's response.
USA
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