FARGO, N.D. — It’s defense day in Fargo.

Hundreds of high school students were getting out of school today to help place about 100,000 sandbags around the city to protect a couple of hundred homes against Red River flooding.

It’s a familiar routine that started in 2009 when the city fought the first of three straight major floods. Fargo students placed 700,000 sandbags is less than two days during the last flood in 2011.

Forecasters have predicted a Red River crest range of between 38 and 40 feet in Fargo. The river began spilling its banks early Thursday when it went over flood stage of 18 feet.

Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker says the weather is predicted to be nice on Friday and he wants students to “go out and enjoy their day.”