This devastating flooding continued into April, and in some cases worsened.
Western and central North Dakota experienced a snowy winter of 2008-2009. Bismarck, for example, had the snowiest December on record, which was also the snowiest month ever on record, with 33.3 inches of snow in December 2008. March 2009 was the fifth snowiest month on record with 29.7 inches. For the entire season Bismarck ended up the second snowiest on record with 100.3 inches. A similar scenario played out all across the west and central parts of North Dakota with locations receiving two to three times the normal snowfall. This set the stage for devastating flooding.
A warm up over the southwest early in March resulted in flooding there. Much more significant and widespread warming came toward the middle of March. It occurred ahead of a storm that brought thunderstorms and heavy rain that resulted in rapid snow melt and ice jams, followed by heavy snow and a blizzard.
For most areas the flooding, some of it river and stream related and some overland flooding away from rivers and streams, was the worst in a dozen years, rivaling and in some cases surpassing that following the winter of 1996-1997. For a few places it was the worst flooding ever. Ice jams, which occur most springs in North Dakota, were more numerous and severe than what would be considered normal.
Losses were tremendous with hundreds of homes flooded, some completely destroyed, and many roads and some bridges washed out. County and township roads, already damaged by the winter plowing of snow, suffered more damage by the flooding. Sections of major state highways were closed due to flooding, including interstate 94.
Agriculture was hard hit. It has been estimated by the Farm Services Agency that because of the flooding over west and central North Dakota, around 1.7 million acres would not be planted in 2009. Using an average value of $300 an acre, that amounts to a potential loss through non planting of around $490 million.
The ranching industry was also hard hit. It has been estimated by the Farm Services Administration that the harsh winter, including blizzards, and the flooding, resulted in 78,000 calves being killed, along with 19,100 cows, 180 horses, and 3,000 other farm and ranch animals. It was estimated that this number of beef cows, had they lived to slaughter, could have fed 800,000 people for one year. The cost loss would be around $50 million. Economic impact to society, impact on communities, uses a multiplier of four to seven times the loss, so $200 million to $350 million.
See entries for the month of April as well.

Flood in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAUB
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 205.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged many county and township roads. Thirty five homes were flooded. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 01:00:00 to 01-APR-09 00:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOLDEN VLY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 553.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Spring Creek and the Knife River flooded due to snow melt and ice jams. The Knife, through Beulah, did significant damage to structures. Overland flooding damaged county and township roads. Fifty five homes were flooded. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANDAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 603.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Heavy overland flooding from the Heart River damaged state, county, and township roads. Eleven homes were flooded. Ice jams on the Heart contributed to flood severity. The Cannonball River also contributed to overland flooding along the Sioux County line. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITE EARTH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 186.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged state, county and township roads. No homes were flooded. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: MERRICOURT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 99.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged state, county and township roads. The James River spilled and flooded two homes. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in EMMONS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAZELTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 748.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Beaver creek at Linton flooded due to snow melt from heavy rain, and ice jams just west of Linton. Overland flooding damaged state, county and township roads. Seventy three homes were flooded. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARLOW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged county and township roads. No structures were flooded in March. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ANTLER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged county and township roads. No homes were flooded. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in MCINTOSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: WISHEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 94.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Significant overland flooding damaged county and township roads. One home was flooded. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in ADAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: REEDER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 127.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Rapid snowmelt created overland flooding and flooding along Cedar Creek. This flooding damaged 16 homes along with county and local roads. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in GRANT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: ELGIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 342.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

The Cannonball River caused extensive flooding due to rain, snow melt, and ice jams. Overland flooding damaged state, county and township roads. Nineteen homes were flooded. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANNOVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 88.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged state, county and township roads. No homes were flooded. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged county and township roads. No homes were flooded in March. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAN HAVEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 105.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

The upper Willow Creek flooded due to thunderstorms with heavy rain causing snow melt. County and township roads were damaged along with twenty two homes. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in SIOUX, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: SELFRIDGE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 264.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Cedar Creek and the Cannonball River flooded. Overland flooding damaged state, county and township roads. Two homes were flooded. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: NEW ENGLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged some county and township roads. No homes were flooded in March. Worse flooding continued into April.

Flood in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: TUTTLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged township roads. No homes were flooded in March. Flooding continued and worsened into April.

Flood in LA MOURE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALFRED
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 1.77M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

The James River did major flood damage. Overland flooding damaged state, county and township roads. Two hundred and thirty homes were flooded, five were complete losses. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in LOGAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: NAPOLEON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 121.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged state, county and township roads. Four homes were flooded. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEERING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged state, county and township roads. No homes were flooded in March. Flooding continued and worsened into April.

Flood in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODWORTH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 268.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Flooding of the James River and Pipestem Creek, along with overland flooding, damaged county and township roads. Several homes were flooded in March. Flooding continued and worsened into April.

Flood in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARPIO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged county and township roads. No homes were flooded in March. Flooding continued into April.

Flood in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVEY ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged county and township roads. No homes were flooded in March. Flooding continued and worsened into April.

Flood in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: KILLDEER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 70.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged state, county and township roads. The Knife River was also in flood. No homes were flooded.

Flood in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Ice jams on the Little Missouri River led to flooding near Medora which inundated two homes.

Flood in BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: RHAME
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 37.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged county and township roads. Three homes were flooded.

Flood in MCKENZIE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: FAIRVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 94.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding damaged county and township roads. Several homes were flooded around Watford City as Cherry Creek spilled along with the Little Missouri River.

Flood in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: BELFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

The Green River and the Heart River flooded. Overland flooding also occurred and damaged county and township roads. Four homes were flooded.

Flood in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 06-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 530.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Ice jams on the Missouri River caused river water to flood parts of south Bismarck and southeast Burleigh County, around Fox Island, including about 15 homes. Apple Creek also flooded. Overland flooding damaged county and township roads. Flooding continued into April.