In April 1997, the regions of North Dakota in the USA and Manitoba in Canada were severely affected by catastrophic flooding. The Red River of the North, which flows through both areas, swelled beyond its banks due to rapid snowmelt and heavy spring rains. The first image, a mosaic of ERS-2 satellite images, shows the Red River area with flooded regions appearing in dark blue, primarily situated downstream. The town of Fargo, which was severely impacted, is visible at the lower part of the image, beneath the flooded areas. The rectangular fields vary in brightness reflecting different types of crops, while highways and major communication links are discernible as darker lines. The subsequent two images provide zoomed-in views from Fargo to Grand Forks, derived from the first image.

• Image 1: Satellite/Sensor: ERS-2 SAR, Acquisition Dates: 25 April 1997, Orbit: 10530, Frames: 2637, 2655, 2673, Acquired by: Gatineau (Canada)
• Image 2: Satellite/Sensor: ERS-2 SAR, Acquisition Dates: Red: 14 June 1996 - Green: 1st Principal component - Blue: 25 April 1997, Orbits: 6021, 10530, Frames: 2637, 2655, 2673, Acquired by: Fucino (Italy)
• Image 3: Satellite/Sensor: ERS-2 SAR, Acquisition Dates: Red: 14 June 1996 - Green: 1st Principal component - Blue: 25 April 1997, Orbits: 6021, 10530, Frames: 2637, 2655, 2673, Acquired by: Fucino (Italy)