Rain storms lead to flooding along S.D., Iowa rivers

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Heavy rains in eastern South Dakota, and parts of northeastern Nebraska and northwestern Iowa have led to flooding, road closures and evacuations.

According to National Weather Service reports, areas below Sioux Falls, S.D., endured rainfall measuring 10 to 15 inches over three days.

The South Dakota communities of McCook Lake and Vermillion were hit hard by the floods, while Sioux City, Iowa and South Sioux City, Neb., also suffered flood damage.

On Sunday night, Interstate 29 was closed due to flooding. The detour for this brought people into Nebraska along Highway 15, 12 and 20.

As the flood waters advance downstream, other communities are being effected.

Rising waters along the Missouri River in the Bellevue and Omaha area are expected to cause moderate to minor flooding, with the “worst yet to come” this week.

John Winkler, general manager of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, said Monday that the episode should be “short-lived” in Nebraska, with normal levels anticipated to return next week.

He said households around Elbow Bend in Bellevue have been notified to evacuate, and lakeside communities close to the Platte River have been cautioned to stay alert.

The City of Bellevue on Monday closed American Heroes Park, the Haworth Park Campground and public boat docks. A city spokesman said all mobile trailers have been cleared from the grounds.

He said Bellevue hasn’t had a flood event bad enough to clear out the campground since 2019.

Gov. Jim Pillen, saying he is acting proactively, declared a state of emergency Monday for Nebraska counties that abut the Missouri River to free up state funds should the need arise by anticipated flooding.

The emergency proclamation confers authority to Nebraska’s National Guard adjutant general to activate resources to protect lives and property.

Over the weekend, Pillen deployed a military helicopter and four-member Army National Guard crew to help the Iowa National Guard in search and rescue operations in and around Sioux City.

Both Pillen and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a request for people to remain off the Missouri River in coming days as water levels continue to surpass flood stage.

“The worst is yet to come,” Winkler said Monday, adding that the Missouri River is expected to peak Tuesday or Wednesday at 35.1 feet before dropping and returning to normal three or four days later. “But it should be short-lived.”

Winkler said that while officials are expecting fairly moderate flooding, they are preparing for the worst.

The NRD and City of Omaha planned notify BNSF Railroad that track closure will be required on Tuesday so that the new flood wall system can be deployed to prevent the flanking of the levee system via the railroad tracks.

The Corps of Engineers has warned boaters to stay off the river due to quickly rising and dangerous water levels and debris, including large trees, floating downstream.

Wastewater treatment plants along the river are taking precautions, including sandbagging.

Winkler said Offutt Air Force Base is well protected by a new levee system.

Cindy Gonzalez of the Nebraska Examiner contributed to this report.