Flood forecasting improves after 1997 disaster

It's been 10 years since the great Red River flood of 1997 devastated Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota and forced 50,000 people to leave their homes.

For weeks before the flood, the National Weather Service predicted the river would peak at 49 feet. But the river bulged beyond that mark, peaking at 54 feet. Some residents along the Red River criticized the Weather Service for not providing an accurate warning.

The 1997 flood prompted the National Weather Service to make big changes in flood forecasting. MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with Dan Luna, the hydrologist in charge for the National Weather Service in Chanhassen.

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