AMES, Iowa – June 11, 2011 – 7:15 p.m. – Flooding from the Missouri River is
expected to impact additional roads in western Iowa as water levels continue to
rise. Roads impacted by flooding are expected to be closed for an extended period of
time. 

Iowans are urged to closely monitor conditions and never enter a water-covered
roadway. Flood waters can force a vehicle off the roadway. In addition, it is not
uncommon for roadways and shoulders to be damaged when flooded, presenting unsafe
conditions for motorists.

The flooding situation is dynamic, ever-changing throughout the day. Take extra
precautions at night when it is difficult to see a flooded road ahead. Avoid travel
in areas threatened by flood waters.  

If you must travel on roadways where water is nearby, give your full attention to
the driving task and expect vehicles ahead to slow down or make sudden stops. Keep
your focus on the road ahead, not on the water around you and adjust your speed for
conditions.

Current road closures/restrictions
I-29 Hamilton Boulevard interchange in Woodbury County: The southbound I-29
interchange ramps at Hamilton Boulevard in Sioux City are closed. The northbound on-
and off-ramps remain open. An alternative ramp has been constructed from southbound
I-29 to Wesley Parkway/U.S. 77.
I-29 in Pottawattamie County: The south- and northbound lanes of I-29 between
milepost 55 (N. 25th Street in Council Bluffs) and the I-29/I-680 interchange at
milepost 71 (near Loveland) are closed.
I-680 in Pottawattamie County: I-680 is closed from the I-29/680 interchange (exit
61 near Crescent) in Iowa to North 30th Street in Omaha, Nebr. (exit 13). This
closure includes the Mormon Bridge across the Missouri River. The Iowa detour route
for interstate roadways closed in this vicinity is: I-680 east from the I-29/I-680
interchange near Loveland to I-80, and then take I-80 southwest to Council Bluffs.
Eastbound travelers on I-680 in Omaha that are intending to travel to Iowa must exit
at North 30th Street (exit 13), continue south on North 30th Street to U.S.
75/I-480, and then continue south on I-480 to I-80 eastbound.
Iowa 2 in Fremont County: The right lane of eastbound Iowa 2 is closed west of I-29.
The westbound lanes remain open. The speed limit will be reduced on this highway to
assist travelers safely navigate through the area. 

Highway segments at high risk of being closed due to flooding
I-29 near Blencoe: Two segments of I-29 are at risk of being impacted by flood
waters in this area: (1) near milepost 103.5 south of Blencoe; and (2) near milepost
107 north of Blencoe. 
I-29 and U.S. 30 near Missouri Valley: Locally sponsored agricultural levees provide
some measure of protection for this area. Three highway segments are at most risk in
this area: (1) U.S. 30 west of I-29 between mileposts 7 and 8; (2) U.S. 30 east of
I-29 between mileposts 9 and 10; and (3) I-29 between mileposts 77 and 78.
I-29/I-680 interchange between mileposts 71-72 near Loveland: This interchange is
presently part of the I-29 detour. It is expected to be covered with flood waters. A
loss of this interchange will significantly impact I-29 travel along the entire
highway corridor because it currently serves as a connector between the northern and
southern portions of the route. The extent of the traffic impact on the multistate
region is yet to be determined. It is dependent on what other Missouri River bridges
and roadway segments along the corridor are eventually closed due to flooding.     
I-29, U.S. 275 and Iowa 333 at Hamburg in Fremont County: Temporary repairs have
been made to the levee in Atchison County, Mo., to delay a full breach. The timing
of the closure of these roadways hinges on a full breach.
Iowa 127 near Mondamin: The segments most at risk of flooding are located east and
west of Mondamin, near mileposts 0.8 and 1.5.
Iowa 175 near Onawa: The segment most at risk of flooding is west of I-29 near the
Missouri River. This route serves as the river crossing between Onawa, Iowa, and
Decatur, Nebr.

Undergoing further evaluation or being monitored 
I-29 northbound off-ramp to Dace Avenue in Sioux City (exit 147B or commonly known
as the Downtown/Tyson Events Center): Flood mitigation efforts will be deployed to
try to keep this ramp open.
I-29 northbound and southbound lanes in Sioux City at the U.S. 77/Wesley Parkway
underpass (between exits 148 and 149): Flood mitigation efforts will be deployed to
try to prevent this low area from being flooded. 
I-29, from south of Bellevue (milepost 39) to Hamburg (milepost 1): This area is at
a lesser risk, but would be inundated if the levee is breached or overtopped.
Iowa 376 (U.S. 75 Business): The roadway from Gordon Drive to Third Street in Sioux
City may be closed if current pumping efforts are not sustainable.