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.
Continued moderating temperatures, along with additional heavy snowfall in late March across southern North Dakota, and April snowfall in northern South Dakota, resulted in a second round of flooding over much of west and central North Dakota during the month of April.
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 March as well.

Flood in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARLOW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 555.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Rapid snowmelt caused heavy overland flooding and flooding along the James River. This resulted in flood damage to numerous county and local roads, railroad bridges, and seven homes.

Flood in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARPIO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 488.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

An extremely snowy winter and rapid snowmelt caused overland flooding and flooding along the Souris River resulting in washed out roads and flood damage to eight homes.

Flood in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVEY ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 2.40M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Rapid snowmelt created heavy overland flooding and flooding in the upper James River basin. This resulted in flood damage to numerous county and township roads along with 201 homes.

Flood in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 25-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODWORTH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 502.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Heavy overland flooding and flooding along the James River and Pipestem Creek due to snowmelt resulted in damage to numerous state, county, and local roads. Damage was also reported to local infrastructure in the city of Jamestown along with ten homes.

Flood in GRANT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: ELGIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Additional overland flooding and flooding on the Cannonball River resulted in further flood damage. Flooding in April was less severe than March due to no ice jams.

Flood in ADAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: REEDER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 42.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Rapid snowmelt upstream in South Dakota created a second round of overland flooding and flooding in the Cedar Creek. Additional property damages were reported.

Flood in BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 25-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ANTLER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 191.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Rapid snowmelt caused the Souris River and overland areas to flood, washing out county and township roads.

Flood in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 271.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Heavy runoff generated from snowmelt caused overland flooding which washed out several county roads.

Flood in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAN HAVEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 145.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt caused overland flooding and flooding of the upper Willow Creek area.

Flood in SIOUX, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: SELFRIDGE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 166.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Additional overland flooding and flooding along the Cedar Creek from snowmelt resulted in further damage to local and county roads.

Flood in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: NEW ENGLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 193.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Heavy overland flooding along with flooding on the Cannonball River damaged a total of eleven homes, some located in the community of Mott. River and overland flooding also damaged several county and local roads.

Flood in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: TUTTLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 1.30M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Heavy overland flooding from snowmelt damaged two homes and numerous state, county, and local roads.

Flood in LA MOURE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 25-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALFRED
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 123.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A second round of overland flooding and continued flooding along the James River resulted in additional damage to several county and local roads and 16 homes.

Flood in LOGAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: NAPOLEON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Heavy runoff from snowmelt resulted in additional overland flooding which further damaged several county and local roads.

Flood in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 25-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEERING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 152.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Flooding along both the Willow Creek and the Souris River, in addition to overland flooding, resulted in washed out roads and damage to eight homes.

Flood in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 558.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Heavy overland flooding and flooding along Apple Creek resulted in damage to 19 homes and numerous state, county, and local roads.

Flood in MCINTOSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: WISHEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 33.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A second round of overland flooding due to snowmelt resulted in additional damages to several county and local roads.

Flood in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAUB
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 350.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Heavy overland flooding occurred as the result of rapid runoff from snowmelt. Flooding damaged many county and township roads along with 35 homes.

Flood in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANDAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 190.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Heavy overland flooding and flooding on the Heart River from snowmelt damaged numerous state, county, and local roads along with eleven homes.

Flood in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITE EARTH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 216.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Overland flooding resulted in damage to local and county roads.

Flood in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 25-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: MERRICOURT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Rapid snowmelt created overland flooding and flooding along the James River resulting in damage to numerous county and local roads and two homes.

Flood in EMMONS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAZELTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A second round of overland flooding and flooding along Beaver Creek resulted in additional damages to several county and local roads, and to numerous homes in and around Linton.

Flood in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 01:00:00 to 22-APR-09 00:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOLDEN VLY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 255.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A second round of flooding along the Knife River and Spring Creek resulted in additional damage to homes near Beulah and Hazen. State, county, and township roads were also damaged.

Flood in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 01-APR-09 00:00:00 to 21-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANNOVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 99.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Heavy overland flooding associated with snowmelt resulted in damage to county and township roads.