Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
March 28, 2009

Frigid Temperatures Slow US Midwest Floodwaters
-----------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2331144:A6F02AD83191E160DE89595A9EFC631D0531BB26A5003E7B&
 
Officials now say Red River will likely crest Sunday, could reach height
of more than 13 meters 
Snow flurries fall as scores of volunteers build up a dike to hold back
the Red River rises in Fargo, North Dakota, 27 Mar 2009Bitterly cold
weather is slowing down floodwaters threatening two U.S.
cities in the northern states of North Dakota and Minnesota. Forecasters
now predict the Red River will crest Sunday. They say it could reach a
height of more than 13 meters. The
river has already swelled above record levels, threatening to flood the
neighboring cities of Moorhead, in the state of Minnesota and Fargo, in
the state of North Dakota. With the help of volunteers and
emergency workers, the cities undertook a massive effort to construct
dikes out of sandbags, but there are concerns the dikes may not hold. At
least 1,700 National Guard troops are on patrol in the area, inspecting
the dikes for cracks or leaks. Thousands of residents have also been
evacuated to higher ground. In his weekly address Saturday,
President Barack Obama said he is monitoring the situation closely, and
he promised the government "will do what must be done to help."While
most of Mr. Obama's focus has been on the economic crisis, he said that
"forces of nature can also intervene in ways that create other crises
to which we must respond - and respond urgently."President
Obama has already approved emergency funds for the areas affected by
the flooding. The acting head of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency traveled to the region Friday to coordinate federal efforts. The
flat terrain of the Red River Valley leaves the area vulnerable to
floods, which can cover wide areas. Some information for this report was
provided by AFP and AP. 


.