Oncoming rains could damage rural roads in SD

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — As of Wednesday, there was only one road in Lincoln County reported as having water over it, according to Lincoln County Emergency Manager Harold Timmerman. That road is 470th Ave. west of the Canton exit on I-29.

With more rain on the way — one estimate predicting a total of 5 inches through Saturday the 22nd — Timmerman says roads could be at some risk in the county.

“Five inches will be an issue,” for roads and field drainage, said Timmerman, adding that the county could absorb the water if it falls gradually over the course of days, but that a more sudden event could lead to standing water.

In the event that roads do flood, Timmerman emphasizes the importance of not driving through the water, even if your destination is close by. “You don’t know what the road looks like under the water,” he said, adding that if the road is damaged and you get stuck, rescue could be necessary.

In Davison County, the prospect of up to 4 inches of rain has Emergency Manager Jeff Bathke somewhat concerned too. Across the county, he says that roads should be mostly fine, but there is one area of concern.

This is a detour on the south end of Mitchell where Spruce Street is closed east of Highway 37. Due to this, all traffic from Mitchell to Mitchell Tech, the livestock yards and a concrete company must go around the section, using two gravel roads.

These roads are 256th Street and 411th Avenue, and Bathke says they’re in rough shape when they’re dry.

One of the main concerns for these roads if heavy rain comes, according to Bathke, is weight, as heavy machinery or trucks could badly damage the road surface when it softens.

In terms of driving behavior, Bathke recommends people take it slow, and echoed Timmerman, urging people not to drive across flooded roads. “The culvert could be washed out,” he said.

KELOLAND’s Brian Karstens is anticipating heavy rain throughout the week , with differing models projecting anywhere from 2-5 inches of rain through Saturday in many areas of the state.

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