Residents of Iowa are fighting floodwaters as people in North Dakota and parts of Minnesota are preparing for weekend floods.

Iowa's Cedar River is six feet above flood stage, forcing some to get around by boat.

Meanwhile in North Dakota, the National Weather Service has predicted the Red River will crest Saturday about 20 feet above the flood stage. That could mean significant damage if workers aren't able to quickly construct temporary dikes.

More than one million sandbags and portable wall systems will be used to help protect an area of about 200,000 people.

But Fargo, N.D., leaders say they are more prepared now than last year.

"It was horrible last year because we didn't have any notice," Fargo resident Kristi Schmidt recalled. "We couldn't get anything done ahead of time. No proactive. So this year's a whole lot better. Everybody is proactive. And we got a great cul-de-sac of neighbors. Everybody just chips in and helps."

Last spring, the Red River hit a record level of 40.8 feet.