Flood risk prompts evacuation of about 12,000 in North Dakota - CNN.com

(CNN) -- Authorities have ordered the evacuation of about 12,000 people from Minot, North Dakota, because of expected flooding there, Cecily Fong, spokeswoman for the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, said Tuesday.

The swollen Souris River flows straight through the city and is expected to overwhelm area levees, she said. Minot, located in the north-central part of the state, is the fourth-largest city in North Dakota.

The evacuation order covers between a quarter and a third of the population, Fong said. Residents have until 6 p.m. CT Wednesday to leave their homes.

The National Weather Service has forecast record flooding and urged anyone living in the affected areas to prepare immediately for the oncoming floodwaters.

"The current best estimate for when water will overtop the lowest dikes in the Minot area is sometime on Thursday afternoon. However, a Wednesday night or early Thursday timeframe cannot be ruled out as the dikes become more stressed due to rising water," the weather service said.

via cnn.com