Thousands of residents in North Dakota are forced to leave their homes after the Souris River bursts its banks and levees are breached.

Heavy rains and melting snow have raised water levels in Canadian reservoirs in the Souris River basin over the past few weeks, which has caused unprecedented water releases further south in North Dakota.

More than 12,000 residents have been ordered out of flood-threatened areas after levee defenses failed.

The Souris River is expected to hit nearly 1,563 ft above sea level by the weekend, beating the previous flood record set in 1881.

With forecasters predicting more rain, record flooding is expected to continue throughout August, affecting Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.