SHSND Home > North Dakota History > Unit 7: Pretty Good Times on the Prairie, 1945 > Set 5: Floods & Blizzards > 1997 Flood - Photographs

Unit 7: Set 5: Floods & Blizzards - 1997 Flood - Photographs

Introduction | 1966 Blizzard | Hazel Miner | 1950 Flood | 1997 Flood | Activity

Introduction | FEMA Photographs

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) collection. 
SHSND  DR 1174-ND  Red River Flood 1997 SA 32189

Grand Forks Flood Aerial 1
In the spring of 1997, Grand Forks reinforced its dikes and added sandbags on top of the dikes to try to
prevent flooding. The dikes gave way and the river entered city neighborhoods and downtown businesses.
Grand Forks 005

Grand Forks Flood Aerial 2
The river reached the rooftops on some Grand
Forks and East Grand Forks homes. IMG0066.
Rescue Crews
After evacuation, rescue crews of city firefighters,
police officers, and National Guard troops checked
houses to be sure everyone was out and to rescue
dogs and cats that had to be left behind if people
were evacuated by boat. Grand Forks 015

Flooded Businesses
Businesses were damaged by floodwaters.
Restaurants and other businesses that sold food
had to rebuild and completely disinfect or replace
all of their equipment. IM0006
Drying Out The Houses
In order to completely dry out a house and prevent
mold formation within the walls, homeowners had
to remove and dispose of dry wall, paneling,
cupboards, and woodwork. Grand Forks 025

Post-Flood Garbage
Some neighborhoods were filled with things that floated in on the river, but after the waters receded,
every home had to throw out anything that was destroyed by the flood. Some things were
contaminated by dirty floodwater and could not be made safe by washing. Grand_forks0003

Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Get Directions

Hours:
State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are closed at noon Christmas Eve if it falls on Mon.-Thurs. and are closed all day if it falls on Fri.-Sun.
State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 701.328.2091 or archives@nd.gov.
State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.

Contact Us:
phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov

Social Media:
See all social media accounts