Heavy Precipitation Raises Red River Flooding Concerns

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - After several dry springs, communities are keeping a wary eye on the Red River in case it's due for another flood.

The region has been soaked with double the usual amount of winter rain, sleet and snow, prompting the National Weather Service to recently issue an early warning about potential spring floods.

Meteorologists say there's a risk of moderate flooding around Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.

But officials say they're confident the defenses they've built in the 20 years since the catastrophic flood of 1997 will protect their communities this spring. East Grand Forks Fire Chief Gary Larson tells the Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/2kfTrLc ) they don't do much sandbagging anymore thanks to their flood protection system.

The National Weather Service will update its flood outlook at the end of February.