Record River Crest Looms in Valley City, N.D.
Valley City, N.D., officials hope it won’t be needed, but they’ve posted an evacuation plan on the city web site as the battle against the flooding Sheyenne River continues.
The city is adding to its levees as it prepares for an expected record crest. Mayor Bob Werkhoven says as long as the levees are built to 24 feet, things will be “under control.” He expects that to happen sometime on April 19.
Some residents have left an apartment building because pumps couldn’t keep up with the high water table. And city residents are being asked to limit water use to take pressure off the sewer system. High water in 2009 caused the sewer system to fail and residents had to evacuate.
About 15 rural families have left their homes because of this year’s flooding.