Thousands in North Dakota to evacuate

(CNN) — Authorities have ordered the evacuation of about 12 000 people from Minot, North Dakota, because of expected flooding there, Cecily Fong, spokeswoman for the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, said today.
The swollen Souris River flows straight through the city and is expected to overwhelm area levees, she said. Minot, located in the north-central part of the state, is the fourth-largest city in North Dakota.
The evacuation order covers between a quarter and a third of the population, Fong said. Residents have until 6 p.m. CT Wednesday to leave their homes.
The National Weather Service has forecast record flooding and urged anyone living in the affected areas to prepare immediately for the oncoming floodwaters.