Flood — Hettinger, North Dakota

2022-05-01 · near Mott, Hettinger, North Dakota

Event narrative

A married couple, both 74 years old, died after driving into the water at a low water crossing. This crossing is locally known to have water running through it during snowmelt and rain events. At the time of the attempted crossing, the water was approximately three to four feet deep over the low water crossing.

Wider weather episode

A male and female, both 74 years old, from Arcadia, Oklahoma attempted to pass through a low water crossing on the Cannonball River near 96th Ave. SW and 71st St. SW in Hettinger County at around 1:00 PM MDT on May 1. They had crossed successfully at the same location twice the day before. This crossing is locally known to have water running through it during most snowmelt and rain events. A gauge upstream near Regent showed that the river rose approximately two feet on April 30, though still well below flood stage, so no flood warning was in effect. At the time of the attempted crossing, the water was approximately three to four feet deep over the low water crossing. Their vehicle, a 2017 Ford F-250, lost traction and went into the river. The couple placed a call to 911 after they lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was recovered 1,600 feet to the east of the crossing, with both occupants deceased inside.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (46.3837, -102.4234)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1027107. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.