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I-29 remains closed from Vermillion to Exit 2, as Big Sioux River reaches record crest

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I-29 remains closed from Vermillion to Exit 2, as Big Sioux River reaches record crest
DOT picture of I-29, looking south towards North Sioux City

I-29 is closed this morning, from Exit 26 to Exit 2, as the Big Sioux River continues to drain. 

Sioux City Fire Chief Tom Everett said at a press briefing Sunday night that the levees in Sioux City’s Riverside neighborhood are expected to hold. The Big Sioux River may have crested late Sunday, at a record 44.24 feet. 

Southbound I-29 traffic is being detoured onto S.D. Highway 50 west at exit 26 to Vermillion, then south to South Dakota Highway 19 into Nebraska where it becomes N.E. Highway 15, then continue south to N.E. Highway 12 east in Nebraska to U.S Highway 20 east in Nebraska, then to exit 144 for I-29 south at South Sioux City, IA.
A huge train bridge has collapsed in the Sioux City area during flooding in the Midwest that has led to evacuations and killed at least one person. Images from local media show a large span of the steel bridge partially underwater as floodwaters from the Big Sioux River rush over it.
Northbound I-29 traffic will exit onto Highway 20 west, then north on Highway 12 and Highway 15 in Nebraska, continuing onto Highway 19 in South Dakota to the Vermillion exit to Highway 50 eastbound to I-29.

Other road closures include Highway 19 , which is closed from south of Viborg to Vermillion. Highway 46 is closed from Beresford to the Iowa border, and from Centerville to Highway 81. Numerous County and Township roads are closed throughout the State as well. 

Motorists are urged to use caution when driving on state and local roads in southeast South Dakota for the next several days. Motorists should not drive through rushing or standing water over roadways as the road may be washed out underneath.

The City of Madison saw a few road closures on Saturday morning, but was spared the severe flooding seen in other parts of the state. 

The Madison Area received over 5.50 inches of rain from Thursday through Saturday. SE 1st Street and East Center Street were closed East of Lincoln Avenue and West of Jefferson. Those roads were back open by Saturday afternoon.

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