The Flood
November
Blizzard Andy dumps 12" of snow
December
Blizzard Betty arrives five days before winter officially starts
Blizzard Christopher, the second blizzard in a week, drops 4.2" of snow
Temperatures plunge to 40 below at Flag Island on Lake of the Woods, setting a record for Minnesota’s coldest Christmas
January
Wind chills reach -80
The National Guard is activated to clear snow blocked roadways
President Clinton declares the region a disaster area
Blizzard Elmo arrives, prompting Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson to close all Minnesota schools
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers unveils $40 million ring levee proposal that would protect Grand Forks from a 100-year flood
Blizzard No. 6 is Franzi
February
The National Weather Service’s first outlook on Grand Forks flooding says the river may rise higher than 1979's crest of 48.8 feet
March
Blizzard Gust adds to the record snowfall, causing the roof of the East Grand Forks Civic Center to sag
The National Weather Service sticks to its forecast of 47.5 - 49 feet
April
Sandbagging and dike building begin in Greater Grand Forks.
Blizzard Hannah arrives with freezing rain that will leave 300,000 valley residents without power. This brings the total snowfall for the year to 98.6 inches.
At Breckenridge, Minn., sandbagging goes on despite the blizzard. Flood water forces hundreds from the city.
The Red River rises to 38.27 feet. National Weather Service still says 49 feet.
For the second time this year, President Clinton declares North Dakota a disaster area
Gov. Ed Schafer activates the National Guard to help with flood fighting efforts and blizzard recovery
East Grand Forks Flood Director Gary Sanders issues a call for 1,000 sand-baggers
The NWS predicts the Red River will crest during the week of April 20-27
Dike-walking begins in East Grand Forks
Red rises to 44.43 feet
The NWS raises its crest prediction to 50 feet
The Point Bridge closes in EGF
East Grand Forks Mayor Lynn Stauss says 300-400 Sherlock Park and Griggs Park Residents may have to evacuate by nightfall. The city issues guidelines for evacuation.
Due to ice jams and overland flooding, Warren, Minn., suffers its third flood in less than a year
The Flood of 1997 officially becomes the Flood of the Century as the river rises above 1979's 48.88 feet
The NWS changes crest prediction to 50.5 feet
Grand Forks officials warn residents of possible evacuations
Red stands at 50.96 feet. NWS raises prediction again to 51.5 feet.
About 1 p.m., hundreds of Lincoln Drive residents evacuate after reports that a nearby dike had broken. The dike is repaired.
East Grand Forks Mayor Lynn Strauss’ battle cry of “two feet in two days” urges residents to raise dikes to meet rising crest predictions.
Red River breaks through a clay dike south of Bygland, filling a coulee that passes through East Grand Forks
The Blue Moose closes at 1 p.m.to allow all employees to sandbag and to hand out sandwiches to the National Guard and other volunteers
THREE TRAGIC DAYS: April 18-20
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
Red River at 51.42 feet
Boils appear in the Lincoln Park dike. City orders evacuation, including 106 residents of Valley Memorial Homes-Almonte Living Center.
City orders evacuation of Riverside and Central Park areas
Water runs out of north end of Lincoln Park Golf Course & down Lincoln Drive
“It’s one of the major disasters of our lifetime,” Grand forks Mayor Pat Owens tells CNN television
NWS revises its crest projection to 53 feet for today or Saturday.
Noon: River at 52.19'
First break in East Grand Forks dike comes near Folson Park but ring dike temporarily saves area
Dike just south of Murray Bridge in East Grand Forks breaks, resulting in the flooding of entire Point area
Sirens sound as Point area ordered evacuated, and Murray Bridge closes
Water in Lincoln Drive area reaches same level as river, leaving about 300 homes in water, many of them to the rooftops
Red River reaches 52.62, up 18 inches in 18 hours
NWS revises crest for 54.0 feet on Saturday
Central Park area fills rapidly
Emergency Operations Center at Grand Forks police station moves to UND as storm sewer backup runs down Fifth Street. Within 30 minutes, the police station basement is full of water.
Red River reaches 52.76; Mayor Owens bans sale of alcohol in Grand Forks
EGF dike near Kennedy Bridge fails, cutting the last link between the two cities and flooding Sherlock Park homes
SATURDAY, APRIL 19
Water flows off dike by Murray Bridge, flooding inside Griggs Park in EGF.
An anonymous woman, “Angel,” pledges to give $2,000 to every household hurt by flood waters
MAY
FEMA announces it will bring 100 fully equipped trailers for evacuees
Dedicated employees return to the Blue Moose and start the recovery process
Non-drinkable water is restored in Grand Forks
Experts say this wasn’t a 500-year flood, but the flood could be worse, and it could come soon
North Dakota’s Congressional delegation requests an explanation from the National Weather Service and the Army Corps of Engineers on why they didn’t share information that might have offered a more accurate flood forecast
Mayor Owens issues order banning scavengers from picking through debris on the berms
A second “Angel” gives $5 million for people in Greater Grand Forks
The Point Bridge re-opens
Drinkable tap water is restored to Grand Forks
Mayor Owens meets with first lady Hillary Clinton in Washington, D.C.
A National Weather Service team arrives in North Dakota to investigate the flood forecasts
After 40 days and 40 nights of hard work and dedication from Blue Moose employees, the downtown business closest to the river re-opens. There was also a brief rain shower on this day that created a vibrant, beautiful rainbow over the Blue Moose on its opening day.
JUNE
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposes three flood-protection plans for Greater Grand Forks
President Clinton signs revised $8.6 billion disaster-aid bill
OCTOBER 4, 1998
The Blue Moose closes so the building can be relocated to the dry side of the dike
NOVEMBER 13, 1998
The Blue Moose crosses Demers Avenue on its way to its new home!
JANUARY 1999
The new Blue Moose reopens at its new location and it’s better than ever!!!