Half of US at Flood Risk

As the mammoth winter snowfall melts across much of the US, expect the struggle against Mother Nature to continue: Spring flooding is already happening in parts of the country and almost half the US has an above-average risk of floods over the next few weeks, the National Weather Service warns. The upper Midwest and parts of New York state are most at risk.

"For the third consecutive year, the stage is set for potential widespread, record flooding in the North Central United States,” National Weather Service director Jack Hayes warns. "All the ingredients are in place for major flooding so this situation should be taken very seriously. We’re asking citizens to stay informed and be prepared." Many metropolitan areas, including Fargo, Grand Forks, and St. Paul, have a greater than 95% chance of major flooding, ABC reports. (More flooding stories.)