British Expats - North Central U.S. Spring Flood Risk

I got this in an email from ready.gov; here is their page on flooding: http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/floods.html
This info must be in there somewhere.. keep your powder dry!

NOAA Significant Event Outlook - North Central U.S. Spring Flood Risk - and Current Central U.S. Flooding

North Central U.S. Spring Flood Risk
This is taken from an initial Spring Flood Outlook that was issued today by the National Weather Service (NWS) Hydrologic Information Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. The National Spring Flood Outlook will be issued on March 17.

Key Points

For the third consecutive year, moderate to major flooding is expected along the Red River of the North, which forms the state border between eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota and includes the Souris River Basin and the Devils Lake and Stump Lake drainages in North Dakota.
Major flooding is also expected along the James River in South Dakota.
The mainstem Mississippi River is at risk for moderate to major flooding from its headwaters in St. Paul, Minnesota, all the way to St. Louis.
There is ongoing widespread minor flooding and local moderate flooding from the central Plains across the northern Ohio Valley, as warmer temperatures this week have melted much of the snow that fell across the area over winter - especially with the blizzard earlier this month.

There are several reasons for the anticipated floods:

The ground in much of the North Central United States is frozen, water-saturated, and snow-covered.
Forecasts for much of the region continue to call for persistent below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation through the rest of February, with an expectation for the snow pack to grow.
In March and April, as temperatures rise and the snow melts, frozen ground and saturated soil will enhance runoff, causing streams and rivers to swell.
The timing and the rate of snow melt and any rain that falls during snow melt contribute to the magnitude and extent of flooding.

The areas of greatest flood concern are:

Devils Lake, North Dakota

Devils Lake has about a 40 percent chance of exceeding 1,455 feet, which could partially inundate portions of the town of Minnewauken, North Dakota, including critical infrastructure and roads across the lake, emergency service routes and possibly a small section of the Amtrak line.
Red River of the North in North Dakota and Minnesota

Fargo, North Dakota, has about a 95 percent chance of exceeding major flood stage of 30 feet where portions of downtown Fargo begin flooding and temporary dike construction is necessary; and a 15 to 20 percent chance of reaching or exceeding the record stage of 40.84 feet set in 2009
Grand Forks, North Dakota, has a greater than 95 percent chance of exceeding major flood stage of 46 feet and near a 10 percent chance of exceeding the record stage of 54.35 feet set in 1997.
James River and the Big Sioux River in South Dakota

The James River at Huron, South Dakota, has about a 90 percent chance of exceeding major flood stage of 15 feet and a 30 percent chance of exceeding the record level of 21.28 feet set in 1997
The Big Sioux River at Brookings, South Dakota, has a greater than 95 percent chance of exceeding major flood stage of 12 feet and nearly a 30 percent chance of exceeding the record stage of 14.77 feet set in 1969.
Upper Mississippi River in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri

St. Paul, Minnesota, has about a 95 percent chance of exceeding major flood stage of 17 feet where secondary flood walls are deployed to protect St. Paul airport; and a 15 percent chance of exceeding the record stage of 26.4 feet set in 1965.
For complete details, see the North Central Spring Flood outlook.

Current Flooding

Several days of above normal to record warm temperatures across the center of the country has melted much of the snowpack from the central Plains to the northern Ohio Valley. This runoff, along with ice jams in some areas, has resulted in minor to locally moderate flooding. More than 40 river forecast points from southern South Dakota to northern Ohio either have reached or will exceed flood stage by Sunday, with a handful reaching moderate flood stage. Over 100 additional river forecast points are or will be near flood stage.

While significant impacts are not expected, the flooding will affect local roads, agricultural lands, and river parks.

A storm system moving out of the Rockies this weekend is expected to bring more precipitation to this area on Sunday and the early part of next week. This may prolong high river levels or cause more extensive lowland flooding.