Flood — Pembina, North Dakota

1997-04-21 to 1997-04-30 · Pembina, North Dakota

Wider weather episode

The rising Red River closed Interstate 29 near Pembina. The city of Drayton was evacuated on the 22nd, but many floodfighters returned and saved most of the city by constructing a plywood dike. Earthen dikes held in Pembina, although most of the people were also evacuated on the 22nd. One dike did fail on the south side of Pembina, flooding 25 homes. Throughout the county, numerous homes east of Interstate 29 were flooded, including the customs station north of Pembina. The tiny town of Bowesmont and both the Pembina and Drayton airports were under water. At Drayton, the river was estimated to be 20 miles wide. Further north in Pembina, it was reported to be 25 miles wide. New records were set on the Red River at Drayton on the 25th and in Pembina on the 26th. A new record was also set on the Pembina River at Neche on the 22nd.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5591889. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.