As East Grand Forks prepares for anticipated flooding, Mayor Steve Gander said the city's looking at a more subdued predictions now than it was about two weeks ago.
More than two weeks ago the National Weather Service reported a 90 percent chance the Red River will crest locally at 45.8 feet and a 75 percent chance the river will reach 49 feet. It also reported a 50 percent chance the river will crest at 50.6 feet.
"Currently we're operating in that 45.8- to 49-foot range," Gander said. "If you recall, last week we were in that 50.6 (foot range), as to where we thought we may end up."
On Monday the National Weather Service shared one of two weekly thaw updates for the Red River basin, which forecast for this week warmer weather in the day and freezing temperatures at night.
"So the forecast is favorable for continued slow melt, with minimal rain in the forecast," Gander said. "Obviously that's very favorable."
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As the weather service begins sharing daily flood readings for the Red River basin after Wednesday, April 3, Gander said city staff will be constantly monitoring those updates as it relates to road closures.
"Crews in East Grand Forks are prepared to build floodwalls and closures at a moment's notice," Gander also said.
A list of closures Gander shared with the East Grand Forks City Council and the public at a work session last week will remain in place, he said.
In other news
• Gander announced that he has scheduled his State of the City address for April 24.
• Gander said he expects city leaders will have to take a third trip to St. Paul to fix the LGA funding formula to make up for all the housing East Grand Forks lost in its flood.
