SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Union County, South Dakota and Plymouth County, Iowa along the Big Sioux River.
According to the NWS alert, moderate flooding is expected to occur near Jefferson, South Dakota this morning.
The warning, issued at 7:39 a.m. this morning, states that water is expected to rise to 37 feet. NWS states that the flood stage in this area begins at 31 feet, putting this 6 feet above that amount.
According to the National Water Prediction Service, the Big Sioux River at Jefferson has reached over 40 feet, sitting at 40.7 feet according to the most recent update. NWPS is not showing a forecast so any future increases in height are unknown. You can follow future updates here.
The current outlook at Jefferson shows that the previous record of 40.4 feet has been broken. This number was set back in 2019.
Union County Emergency Management urges that you “turn around, don’t drown” and avoid driving through flooded areas. The state that most flood deaths occur in flood vehicles.