Flood in Clay County, Minnesota

A 73 year old resident of Oakport Township suffered a heart attack and died while he and his family were filling and placing sandbags to protect their home, located north of Moorhead.

The winter of 2010-2011 generally brought above normal amounts of snow to the area, but particularly so for portions of the central and southern Red River Valley. By April 1st, snow water equivalents were estimated to be about four to six inches in these areas with about two to four inches elsewhere. A see-saw pattern of temperatures led to a generally slow April snowmelt. At Fargo, the first six days of April averaged near normal for temperatures. The next six days averaged above normal, which led to some snowmelt. From the 13th through the 23rd temperatures swung back below normal along with several days with additional snow. At Grand Forks, the temperatures ranged a bit different than at Fargo. The first 12 days of the month were above normal, then the 13th through the 22nd were below normal. The snow disappeared first in the northern Red River Valley, while it took longer to melt in the other areas. Overland flooding was particularly bad over portions of Clay County. Hundreds of roads across the area were closed due to overland flooding.