Likelihood Of Significant Red River Flooding Rises

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - The National Weather Service says the likelihood of significant Red River flooding has risen in North Dakota and Minnesota.

The agency in its latest flood outlook on Tuesday said there is about a 20-percent chance the river at Fargo and neighboring Moorhead, Minn., will surpass the record crest set in 2009. It also says there's about a 50-percent chance it will beat last year's crest, which was the sixth-highest on record.

The outlook says the river is almost certain to surpass "major" flood stage in Fargo-Moorhead. The Weather Service previously calculated those odds at less than 60 percent in December.

Forecasters say the probability has increased for several reasons, including above-normal water in the snowpack in the southern river valley and an expected wet spring.

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