This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7969106.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Red River hits record high in US Flood fear forces US evacuations
(39 minutes later)
The Red River in the mid-Western US has reached its highest level in 112 years and is expected to keep on rising, US authorities say. Thousands of people have been asked to evacuate their homes in the US Midwest, as the swollen Red River reaches its highest levels for 112 years.
It rose to 40.63ft (12.4m) at 1615 GMT, exceeding the previous record of 40.1ft set in 1897 in Fargo, North Dakota. Rising waters have breached a dyke in Fargo, North Dakota, where about 400 people have already left their homes.
Scores more residents were ordered to evacuate their homes as the rising waters breached one of the dykes. And officials in neighbouring Moorhead want 2,660 homes there to be evacuated.
President Barack Obama has sent Nancy Ward, acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to Fargo. Nancy Ward, acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has been dispatched to Fargo. The river is due to reach its highest level later.
On Friday the river swelled to previously unseen heights - surpassing the record of 40.1ft (12.2m) set in 1897 in Fargo.
See a map of the affected area See a map of the affected area
Amid fears that Moorhead and Fargo could be deluged, President Barack Obama sent Ms Ward to oversee the towns' preparations.
We want to go down swinging if we go down Dennis WalakerFargo MayorWe want to go down swinging if we go down Dennis WalakerFargo Mayor
He issued a federal disaster declaration for parts of Minnesota and the entire state of North Dakota earlier this week. The president issued a federal disaster declaration for parts of Minnesota and the entire state of North Dakota earlier this week.
Authorities in Fargo evacuated around 150 homes in the early hours of Friday, along with hospitals, clinics and a county jail.Authorities in Fargo evacuated around 150 homes in the early hours of Friday, along with hospitals, clinics and a county jail.
Evacuations were also carried out across the river in Moorhead, Minnesota. Across the river in Moorhead, Minnesota, officials asked for 2,660 homes to be evacuated - but Minnesota state's laws do not permit mandatory evacuations.
A spokesman for the US Army Corps of Engineers said a small amount of water was leaking through a crack in one of the dykes, adding that a contingency dyke had been built behind it. A spokesman for the US Army Corps of Engineers said a small amount of water was leaking through a crack in one of the dykes in Fargo, adding that a contingency dyke had been built behind it.
Some 800 guards are being brought in to monitor the dykes, in addition to the 900 already in place, the mayor of Fargo said.Some 800 guards are being brought in to monitor the dykes, in addition to the 900 already in place, the mayor of Fargo said.
"We want to go down swinging if we go down," Mayor Dennis Walaker told reporters."We want to go down swinging if we go down," Mayor Dennis Walaker told reporters.
Several factors are said to be behind the river's historic rise. The unusually cold winter left a snowpack sitting on top of frozen ground that could not absorb it. Experts say the huge rise in the river's levels was caused by an unusually cold winter, followed by a very quick thaw and heavy rain.
This was followed by a warm snap with heavy rain, which melted the snow and sent it toward the north-flowing river. And the Red River flows north into icy conditions, making it less able to cope with rising levels that most rivers in the US, which flow south and widen out as they reach warmer climates.
More snow is forecast to fall on the Red River valley in the coming days, and rain next week could worsen flood conditions.More snow is forecast to fall on the Red River valley in the coming days, and rain next week could worsen flood conditions.
Return to top Return to top
Are you in the area? Are you affected by the flood waters? Are you concerned for friends and family? Send us your comments using the form belowAre you in the area? Are you affected by the flood waters? Are you concerned for friends and family? Send us your comments using the form below
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions