Storm Events Database

Storm Events Database

Event Details

Event Flood
-- Flood Cause Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
State MINNESOTA
County/Area MAHNOMEN
WFO FGF
Begin Date 03/22/2009 11:15:00 CST-6
Begin Range 5
Begin Azimuth NW
Begin Location BEJOU
Begin Lat/Lon 47.49/-96.06
End Date 03/31/2009 15:00:00 CST-6
End Range 11
End Azimuth N
End Location MAHKONCE
End Lat/Lon 47.49/-95.58
Deaths Direct/Indirect 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...)
Injuries Direct/Indirect 0/0
Property Damage 5.00K
Crop Damage 0.00K
Episode Narrative A stretch of warmer weather occurred from March 14th to 17th, which resulted in high temperatures in the 40s and low 50s. The snow depth in Fargo on the 14th was 15 inches with a melted water equivalent of 3.10 inches. By the 17th, the snow depth in Fargo had dropped to 6 inches. This was followed by a couple of cooler days, which temporarily slowed down any additional snowmelt. A second period of warmer weather began on March 20th and continued through the 24th. During this period of time, high temperatures again climbed into the 40s and low 50s. Most of the remaining snow in Fargo melted during this stretch of warm weather, with the Fargo snow depth falling from 2 inches to 0. Conditions were about the same in Grand Forks, with the snow depth falling to 0 by the 24th. These two warmups resulted in a quick response in river levels, especially across the southern Red River Valley and west central Minnesota. The mainstem Red River also showed a response, especially in the southern Red River Valley. With all the runoff moving into the river systems, water covered many roads and resulted in numerous road closures. The water covered entire sections of land as well and threatened many homes. A winter storm event on March 24th and 25th brought more snow to the region, along with a turn to colder temperatures. This resulted in a first crest for many rivers in the southern Red River Valley and west central Minnesota. However, river levels at most points along the mainstem Red River continued to stay high. Another winter storm event hit much of the area March 30th to 31st, dropping up to 2 feet of snow in the southern Red River Valley. There was a lot of moisture in this new snow, with snow to liquid ratios of less than 10 to 1. This set the stage for continued flooding into the month of April. Most counties across northwest Minnesota later received a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
Event Narrative


All events for this episode:

Location County/Zone St. Date Time T.Z. Type Mag Dth Inj PrD CrD
Totals: 0 0 90.00K 0.00K
WOLVERTON WILKIN CO. MN 03/21/2009 13:49 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
SHELLY NORMAN CO. MN 03/21/2009 13:49 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
GEORGETOWN CLAY CO. MN 03/21/2009 13:49 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
ST VINCENT JCT KITTSON CO. MN 03/22/2009 11:15 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
DUXBY ROSEAU CO. MN 03/22/2009 11:15 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
PELICAN RPDS MUNI AR OTTER TAIL CO. MN 03/22/2009 11:15 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
DOROTHY RED LAKE CO. MN 03/22/2009 11:15 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
BEJOU MAHNOMEN CO. MN 03/22/2009 11:15 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
DAKOTA JCT PENNINGTON CO. MN 03/22/2009 11:15 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
OGEMA BECKER CO. MN 03/22/2009 11:15 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
NORTHLAND POLK CO. MN 03/22/2009 11:15 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
WENDELL GRANT CO. MN 03/22/2009 11:15 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
STEPHEN ARPT MARSHALL CO. MN 03/22/2009 11:15 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
WILLIAMS LAKE OF THE WOODS CO. MN 03/25/2009 14:09 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
BECIDA HUBBARD CO. MN 03/25/2009 14:09 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
MENAHGA WADENA CO. MN 03/25/2009 14:09 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
MALCOLM BELTRAMI CO. MN 03/25/2009 14:09 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
BERNER CLEARWATER CO. MN 03/25/2009 14:09 CST-6 Flood 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
Totals: 0 0 90.00K 0.00K