Northwest Iowa — The heavy rains and melting snow have combined to cause flooding around northwest Iowa today (Wednesday).
O’Brien County authorities tell us several roads in the county have floodwaters flowing across them.
In Sioux County, authorities say there is water covering the westbound lane of Highway 18, 2 miles east of Rock Valley. Sioux County officials also report some wash-outs on gravel roads around the county. They urge you to watch out when driving on gravel roads, and once it gets dark, driving on gravels in Sioux County is not advised.
Officials remind you to not drive through any area when the roadway is covered by water. They say please turn around and take another route to your destination.
In Sheldon, officials are making sand available for residents to use in sandbags. Sand can be found at the northeast corner of the Sheldon Public Library.
In Sanborn, city officials tell us they have sand and sand bags available for residents in the gravel lot across from the Christian Reformed Church.
In Hartley sandbags are available on the west side of the Hartley Street Department Building.
In Primghar you’ll find sandbags on the south side of the O’Brien County Engineer’s Primghar shop, an orange cone is next to the sand pile.
In Paullina you’ll find sandbags on the south side of the O’Brien County Engineer’s Paullina shop, an orange cone is next to the sand pile.
In Sutherland sandbags have been placed on the east side of the O’Brien County Engineer’s Shop.
Rock Rapids residents can find sandbags and sand sitting outside the city shop on 3rd Avenue. Rock Rapids officials say you’ll need to bring your own shovel and fill your own sandbags. If you have questions call the Rock Rapids city office at 712-472-2553.
The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a Flood Warning that is in effect until 1:00 Thursday morning.
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Original post 10:11 am, March 13, 2019
O’Brien County, Iowa — O’Brien County Emergency Management is dealing with some minor flooding around the county, and bracing for more due to the rain that’s forecast in the coming days.
O’Brien County EMA Coordinator Jared Johnson tells KIWA that reports of water across some roads are coming in to the O’Brien County 911 Center.
A large pile of sand has been placed in the parking lot of the Sheldon Community Services Center that Johnson says can be used by residents for filling sandbags to help keep flood waters at bay.
Johnson says there are a limited number of sandbags currently available, but residents are welcome to take sand from the city parking lot to fill their own bags, or use with weighted tarps to make their own sand berms
