(Photo: Reuters/Allen Fredrickson)A home is seen submerged in flood waters from the Souris River, after sand bags failed to hold the water back in Minot, North Dakota June 24, 2011. Federal officials sharply increased plans to release more water on the swollen Souris River on Thursday, adding up to three feet to the expected peak of flooding at Minot, North Dakota, where thousands of homes already have been evacuated.

The epic Minot, North Dakota flood is in full-destructive force Friday, already flooding some 2,500 homes before the day ends. Another 1,500 homes, or a total of about 4,000 homes, are projected to be flooded by the end of Friday. About 11,000 people, or a quarter of Minot’s population, have been evacuated.

At 11:30 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service’s Broadway bridge gauge read 1,558.3 feet. The Souris River is predicted to crest at 1,564.6 feet at 1 a.m. Sunday. This weekend’s flood will be the biggest flood in the history of Minot, breaking the 1881 record of 1,558 feet.

"It's really tough to see," said Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D), who is originally from Minot, to The Herald. "I see homes of people I've known since I was a little kid, places that I've been many many times in the city and outside the city – and now they're underwater."

(Photo: Reuters/Allen Fredrickson)A neighbourhood is submerged in flood waters in Minot, North Dakota June 24, 2011. Federal officials sharply increased plans to release more water on the swollen Souris River on Thursday, adding up to three feet to the expected peak of flooding at Minot, North Dakota, where thousands of homes already have been evacuated.

(Photo: Reuters/Allen Fredrickson)A gas station remains protected with a levee in a business district in a flooded area of Minot, North Dakota, as flood water from the Souris River spills over levees and dikes June 24, 2011.

(Photo: Reuters/Allen Fredrickson)Workers inspect a flooded pedestrian walk way, as debris is trapped by the structure in Minot, North Dakota, June 24, 2011. Federal officials sharply increased plans to release more water on the swollen Souris River on Thursday, adding up to three feet to the expected peak of flooding at Minot, North Dakota, where thousands of homes already have been evacuated.

(Photo: Reuters / Allen Fredrickson)Law enforcement personnel and State Fish and Games agents use an air boat to search a neighborhood for any remaining persons, in Minot, North Dakota, June 24, 2011. Federal officials sharply increased plans to release more water on the swollen Souris River Thursday, adding up to three feet to the expected peak of flooding at Minot, North Dakota, where thousands of homes already have been evacuated.