75% of Basements in Small North Dakota Town Flood

June 2, 2010

Residents of the northeast North Dakota town of Pembina are cleaning up after weekend flooding.

Mayor Warren Hillukka estimates that at least 75 percent of the basements in the town of about 640 people were flooded after almost 7 inches of rain fell on May 29 in just a few hours.

The Red River at Pembina jumped from about 33 feet Saturday afternoon to just under 40 feet late Monday afternoon. The National Weather Service expects the river to climb to 41.88 feet Wednesday afternoon, just shy of the 42-foot flood stage.

City officials are planning to provide cleanup kits and other assistance for residents with basement damage.

Information from: Grand Forks Herald