Storms and torrential rainfall is causing record flash flooding near Ames
by Richard Tucker – For three days of storms and torrential rainfall is causing record flash flooding near Ames.And the excessive runoff from heavy rainfall overnight and is expected to continue to cause flooding of roadways in many parts of the states.
The record flooding is forecast along portions of the South Skunk River from the Ames area to below Colfax, and many county roads and city streets are also closed, the dangerous situation and travelers need to exercise additional caution in these areas. Flooding has already resulted in the closure of U.S. 30 and southbound I-35 near Ames. Below are the roadways currently closed or restricted are as follows:
- Interstate 35 in Story County – The southbound lanes of I-35 are closed just south of Ames. Due to other area highway closures, a lengthy detour has been established that extends from U.S. 30 east to U.S. 65 south to Iowa 330 and south to I-80 at Altoona.
- U.S. 30 in Story County – The eastbound and westbound lanes of U.S. 30 between I-35 and U.S. 69 are closed.
- U.S. 69 in Story County – The road is closed from Riverside Road, north of Ames to Story County Road E-23 on the Gilbert exit.
- Iowa 2 in Fremont County – The right, eastbound lane is closed between Interstate 29 and the Nebraska state line.
- Iowa 44 in Dallas County – The roadway between Dallas County Road R-22 and Iowa 144, near Grimes is now restricted to one lane. It had previously been closed.
- Iowa 92 in Mahaska County – The roadway between Mahaska County Road T-25 and Iowa 163, near Beacon is now closed in both directions.
- Iowa 92 in Mahaska County – The roadway is now closed between Iowa 23 and Mahaska County Road V-13, near Keomah Village
- Iowa 117 in Jasper County – The roadway between Jasper County Road F-48 and Interstate 80 near Colfax is closed.
- U.S. 61 in Lee County – The roadway near U.S. 136, Keokuk will close beginning at 10 a.m.
- U.S. 63 in Mahaska and Wapello counties – Travel is restricted to one lane of traffic in each direction, in a head-to-head configuration, between Mahaska County Road T-67 and Wapello County Road G-61, near Eddyville.
The Iowans are urged to continue to closely monitor conditions and never enter a water-covered roadway. But if you encounter a flooded area, turn around, don’t drown.
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