A large swath of the country is at risk of moderate to major flooding this spring, from northeastern Montana through western Wisconsin following the Mississippi River south to St. Louis, National Weather Service flood experts are forecasting. The agency has released an initial spring flood outlook for this high risk region and will release a national spring flood outlook on March 17.

For the third consecutive year, forecasters predict moderate to major flooding along the Red River of the North, which forms the state line between eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota and includes the Souris River Basin and the Devils Lake and Stump Lake drainages in North Dakota.

If the current forecast holds, the main stem Mississippi River is at risk for moderate to major flooding from its headwaters in St. Paul, Minn., all the way to St. Louis.

Areas of greatest flood concern are:

Devils Lake, N.D.

Devils Lake at Minnewauken has about a 40 percent chance of exceeding 1,455 feet, which could partially inundate portions of the town of Minnewauken, including critical infrastructure and roads across the lake, emergency service routes and possibly a small section of the Amtrak train line.

Red River of the North in North Dakota and Minnesota

Fargo, N.D., has about a 95 percent chance of exceeding major flood stage of 30 feet where portions of downtown Fargo begin flooding and temporary dike construction is necessary; and a greater than 20 percent chance of reaching or exceeding the 40.84-foot record set in 2009;

Grand Forks, N.D., has a greater than 95 percent chance of exceeding major flood stage of 46 feet and near a 10 percent chance of exceeding the 54.35-foot record set in 1997.

James River and the Big Sioux River in South Dakota

The James River at Huron, S.D., has about a 90 percent chance of exceeding major flood stage of 15 feet and a 30 percent chance of exceeding the record 21.28-foot level set in 1997;

The Big Sioux River at Brookings, S.D., has a greater than 95 percent chance of exceeding major flood stage of 12 feet and nearly a 30 percent chance of exceeding the 14.77-foot record set in 1969.

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Upper Mississippi River in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri

St. Paul, Minn., has about a 95 percent chance of exceeding major flood stage of 17 feet where secondary flood walls are deployed to protect St. Paul airport; and a 15 percent chance of exceeding the record 26.4 feet set in 1965.

NOAA's flood forecasters point to several reasons for the anticipated floods. The ground in much of the north-central United States is frozen, water-saturated, and snow-covered. Forecasts for much of the region continue to call for persistent below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation for February, with an expectation for the snow pack to grow. In March and April, as temperatures rise and the snow melts, frozen ground and saturated soil will enhance runoff, causing streams and rivers to swell. The timing and the rate of snow melt and any rain that falls during snow melt contribute to the magnitude and extent of flooding.

"Excessive precipitation, mainly in the form of snow, coupled with continuously frigid temperatures has yielded a thick snowpack in much of the upper Midwest. We expect significant flooding when this snow begins to melt," said Lynn Maximuk, central region director of the National Weather Service. "We urge residents in risk areas to closely monitor NOAA's river forecasts and warnings, and prepare now for flooding."

For complete details, see the spring flood outlook at http://www.weather.gov/oh/hic/nho.

NOAA forecasters gauge flood risk by examining the impacts of precipitation, groundwater conditions, stream flow, snow conditions and weather forecasts. Computer models assist the forecaster by using these variables to calculate the probability that a certain river or lake will exceed its flood level (available online at http://water.weather.gov).

Aware of the likelihood North Central U.S. spring flooding months in advance, forecasters from National Weather Service field offices began coordinating with United States and Canadian agencies in December to get an early jump on flood mitigation efforts. Several federal, tribal, state and local partners on both sides of the border routinely coordinate to communicate flood potential, plan and prepare. To help people and communities prepare, NOAA offers the following flood safety tips:

Determine whether your community is in a flood-risk area and continue monitoring local flood conditions at http://water.weather.gov.

Visit http://www.floodsmart.gov to learn about FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program and for flood preparedness advice to safeguard your family, home and possessions.

Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio receiver with battery power option to stay apprised of quickly changing weather information.

Study evacuation routes in advance and heed evacuation orders.

Turn Around, Don't Drown -- never cross flooded roads, no matter how well you know the area or how shallow you believe the water to be.

"FEMA, through our regions, is working closely with our state partners to ensure we are doing everything we can to support their efforts to prepare for this coming spring flood season, but we also must rely on a key partner in this team -- the public," said Darryl J. Madden, director, Ready Campaign. "There are simple steps individuals and families can take now, to ensure their families are safe. By having a plan and preparing an emergency kit, individuals and families will be better prepared to respond to flooding -- our nation's most common disaster. Anyone can visit http://www.ready.gov to learn more."