Prediction is risen daily as the river starts to enlarge. Hundreds of volunteer rush to dikes to fortify for levels beyond the 50 ft. dike limits. Students are dismissed or released to help flood fighting efforts, as slowly residents fear the worst as rumors fly around about crests in the middle 50's. Friday, April 18 Dikes begin to breach and crack as workers begin to lose the fight. Mandatory evacuations are given by Mayor Pat Owens for the Central Park, Lincoln, and Riverside areas, all locations surrounded by the failing dikes.
Some residents are prepared and leave with an ounce of comfort, but most are caught off guard.
All are forced to bring what they can carry or what is of most value to them. Others just have the clothes on their backs. The Murray Bridge in East Grand Forks is lost, cutting off the region know as the Point. Saturday, April 19 Point area lost as residents need to be air lifted to safety. Grand Forks Water plant becomes inundated with water and fails.