The town of Neche, North Dakota is hoping life will get back to normal soon. The swollen Pembina River continues to top Highway 18 which has forced the State to close the road to traffic, essentially closing both Canadian and American ports of entry.

Local motorists wanting to get in and out of Neche have to navigate the highway in their vehicles if they need to leave or enter the community.

"It's receding a fair bit slower than I was hoping for," said Lee Beatie, mayor of Neche. "I mean last week's water from the first crest came in and then left the area rapidly which was good to see. This one seems to be hanging around a bit longer."

As of noon Tuesday, April 11 the river was at 21.57 feet, which is a foot above major flood stage. The U.S. National Weather Service is predicting a very slow drawdown of the Pembina at Neche with the river remaining in the 21 foot range right into next week.

"It has let up a little bit, as far as the amount of water going over the highway, but there's still a fairly long stretch of highway where water is moving across," said Beatty. "I'm hoping by tomorrow the water will ease up enough to reopen Highway 18, just to get our community going again."