SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — The Big Sioux River has hit major flood stage Sunday afternoon.
Around 3:30 p.m., the river reached 41.21 feet, surpassing the major flood stage of 41 feet, according to the National Water Prediction Service.
As of 5:30 p.m., it had reached 43.26 feet. It is forecast to be the peak, maintaining that height until it goes down 0.1 feet Monday at 1 a.m. and then continuing to recede.
By Monday afternoon, it is expected to recede into moderate flood stage and then into minor flood stage late Monday evening.
Just after midnight Sunday, the Big Sioux River at Sioux City only measured about 20 feet, but it saw a large spike through the day.
Further upstream, the Big Sioux River’s last measurement at Jefferson was Sunday at 9:45 a.m. showing the river hitting 41.94 feet into major flood stage. The National Water Prediction Service doesn’t show a forecast at the time of publishing.
Upstream of Sioux City, the Floyd River at James has already crested and started to recede. It hit a peak of 32.39 feet at moderate flood stage. It beat the record of 31.5 feet. As of
Meanwhile, the Missouri River at Sioux City is only forecast to hit minor flood stage, reaching a peak of 31.1 feet Monday at 7 a.m. As of Sunday at 6 p.m., it has reached 29.28 feet.
The City of Sioux City built a temporary levy at River Drive to protect the Riverside neighborhood. Military Road is closed at Hwy 12, including the Sioux City Railroad Museum and Stone Park. They also closed down the Chris Larsen Park boat ramp.
People are asked to stay away from rising floodwaters, especially at Chris Larsen Park and the Riverside Athletic Complex.
The city asked that for any non-emergency calls regarding flooding, contact the Woodbury County Emergency Management Operations Center at 712-224-5262.