FARGO, N.D. (AP) — With months to prepare for what’s expected to be a third straight major Red River flood, the only suspense in Fargo’s weekly flood briefing was an update by Mayor Dennis Walaker on his crest prediction.

Walaker wasted no time, kicking off Friday’s meeting by telling dozens of public officials and others that he believes the river will peak below the record crest of nearly 41 feet in 2009. His best guess, after talking with a National Weather Service flood forecaster, is 40.5 feet.

“I’m still confident about that,” said Walaker, hailed for his close crest calls in the last two years.