Things I didn't know about Grand Forks #3

There was a huge, devastating flood there-- the Red River Flood of 1997. It was the worst flood of that river since 1826. Floodwaters reached over 3 miles inland and caused an estimated $3.5 billion in damage. The people of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks banded together to build a 47 foot tall sandbag wall, but, unfortunately, the water rose over 54 feet and 50,000 people had to be evacuated. At the time, it was the largest evacuation in the United States since the Civil War. 

photo courtesy of this website

Apparently the Red River is prone to flooding due to its northward flow. Seriously, the river flows south to north because of so much melting snow. I'll make sure to get an apartment on the top floor.