Northwest Iowa — The sound of sump pumps and large gas-powered pumps is a common one in northwest Iowa the past few days. Everyone got a lot of rain, with some areas reporting over six inches.
The highest total we’ve seen so far was a Sheldon report of 6.6 inches. We recorded 3.9 inches at KIWA. Many roads are flooded and flood warnings continue for area rivers. Emergency Management advises not to cross flooded roads — turn around don’t drown.
Other listener reports include:
5.5″+ at Ocheyedan
3.5 ” at Sibley
4.5″ north of Hull
4.3″ in Sheldon
6″+ one mile west of Newkirk
5.9″ in eastern Sheldon
4.0″ near Christian Retirement Home in Sheldon
6.3″ on Pine Street in Sheldon
Several gravel roads in the area are closed. In fact, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office advises that all gravel roads between Alton and Sheldon are potentially covered with water and are closed. We’ve been advised that water is going over the road at the Boyden Pit.
Even Interstate 90 just north of the area is flooded. At 9:49 a.m., we were advised that both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-90 were closed at mile marker 3 near Beaver Creek. At 1 pm Thursday afternoon, authorities advised that that section of I-90 had been re-opened by Minnesota Officials.
