VALLEY CITY, N.D. (The Forum) — Valley City officials declared a flood emergency Wednesday, with the Sheyenne River threatening to reach major flood stage.

The move clears the way for the city to seek state money and resources to help deal with rare summer flooding.

The river this time of year normally is at about 4 1/2 feet, but a wet summer and saturated ground have kept it high after a near-record spring flood. The Valley City Times-Record reports that the river this month could reach as high as 17 1/2 feet.

A storm Monday dumped up to 7 inches of rain to the north of Lake Ashtabula, on the river just to the north of Valley City. Homeowners have been scrambling to get boats and docks out of the rising lake.

Valley City declares rare summer flood emergency [The Forum]