GRAND FORKS - Two decades after historic flooding hit cities in the Red River Valley, public officials say the $409 million spent on a new levee system to protect Grand Forks has paid off.
Nearly a dozen downtown Grand Forks buildings were destroyed when the Red River flooded the streets in April 1997. The flood displaced more than 50,000 people in the area, and the devastation drew national attention and a visit from then-President Clinton.
Congress moved quickly to fund the massive levee, and entire neighborhoods were demolished to make room for it.
City leaders in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks say their communities are thriving.
