South Dakota authorities say a steel railroad bridge over the SIoux River connecting North Sioux City, SD, with SIoux City, Iowa, collapsed late Sunday.
There were no injuries and no trains were lost.
The bridge is owned by the BNSF and railroad spokesman Kendall Sloan says all traffic had been halted as a precaution when flooding began. In the aftermath, a large span was partially underwater with some trusses collapsed.
The BNSF is rerouting trains, but Sloan can’t offer a timeline on when or if the bridge will be repaired.
Areas south of Sioux Falls had an estimated 10-to-15 inches of rain over 3 days, leading to extensive flooding. Interstate 29 was closed in both directions Sunday between Exits 2 and 8, detouring traffic onto other highways – some in Nebraska.
Emergency management officials in Dakota Dunes warned roughly 4,000 residents on Sunday to evacuate or be prepared to do so. Some homes across the region were lost to floods while a number of individuals who were evacuated have yet to return home.
South Dakota Gov Kristi Noem told reporters Monday morning in North Sioux City that rivers are finally cresting and that Interstate 29 should reopen by nightfall.
Noem, who declared an emergency shortly after flooding began, reminded residents of the region how quickly conditions can change and worsen, then asked them to stay out of flooded areas for now.
The Big Sioux River crested at North Sioux City at 44-feet Sunday night, 17 hours sooner and 2-feet higher than predicted. Noem did not give an update on the James and Vermillion Rivers, which were predicted to crest tonight or tomorrow.
Governor Noem said she’s “deeply grieved” over the one life lost in the state and over all the homes and businesses that were damaged, but she also thanked emergency responders for their quick actions.
Congressman Dusty Johnson joined Noem at the North Sioux City news conference and echoed her praise of emergency responders and local leaders while emphasizing the importance of community with “real humans reaching out.”