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Published June 17, 2010, 12:11 PM

Flash flood warning issued in West Fargo as more than 4 inches of rain falls

A morning downpour is flooding streets in this city and farm fields in Cass and Clay counties, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flooding warning.

By: Staff Report, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead

WEST FARGO – A morning downpour is flooding streets in this city and farm fields in Cass and Clay counties, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flooding warning.

The warning is in effect until 10 p.m. for western Clay County and eastern Cass County.

Rainfall estimates and surface reports indicate more than 4 inches of rain fell from West Fargo to Georgetown, Minn.

A number of farm fields are flooded, and street flooding was also reported in portions of West Fargo, especially on 13th Avenue.

West Fargo Assistant Police Chief Mike Reitan said small cars were getting stranded on flooded streets, and street department crews were racing around town setting up barricades. The water was up to the running boards on his truck, he said.

“If I was driving anything other than my four-wheel-drive, I wouldn’t be at work yet,” he said.

Reitan said the sump pump at his house was running almost constantly.

“It’s absolutely soaked, so I would think there are some problems with water in people’s basements,” he said, adding some tree limbs also were knocked down.

Runoff is expected to elevate water levels in the West Fargo Diversion and the Sheyenne River near Harwood, N.D.

Additional thunderstorms are expected to redevelop this afternoon, with another 1 to 2 inches possible later today.

A high wind watch remains in effect from 1 p.m. today through late tonight for eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. The weather service says strong southerly winds will increase to between 25 and 35 mph this afternoon and continue into this evening. Gusts near 60 mph are possible.

The strong winds are expected to create 2- to 6-foot waves on Devils Lake and Stump Lake, and the weather service advised that debris is expected to wash onto roadways. Motorists also were advised to watch for road bed erosion.

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The Forum and the Echo Press are owned by Forum Communications Company.

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