Guard Troops Sent to Moorhead, Minn

Fargo begins another day preparing for flood
Published - Mar 28 2009 09:20AM EST

By PATRICK CONDON and DAN SEWELL - Associated Press Writers

Floating ice and water is seen from the overflow of the Red River in Moorhead, Minn. The river had risen to 40.32 feet early Friday, more than 22 feet above flood stage and inches more than the previous high water mark of 40.1 feet set April 7, 1897.
Officials in Fargo are adding National Guard troops and intensifying their response to the rising flood on the Red River.

Officials say they are increasing the level of guard troops from 1,700 troops to 1,850 and asking residents to keep an eye on dikes for possible breaches.

They are also bringing in 300 large bags that hold a ton of sand and could be dropped into breaks in the levees.

No major levee breaches or other issues were reported during the night.

The National Weather Service predicted the crest at near 42 feet sometime Sunday, but said it was still possible the river could rise to 43 feet. That's as high as the levees go and is nearly 3 feet higher than the record of 40.1 feet set in 1897.