SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — (UPDATE 6/25 11:50 a.m.) — The Sioux City Railroad Museum team is evaluating conditions to plan for recovery after the flooding.
According to a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, the flood water has drained from the museum ground into the agricultural field, the archaeology study area, and into the river.
There are pockets where flood waters are collecting and being retained until they can drain back to the Big Sioux River.
The post also included a history fun fact, stating that the site was designed by C.F. Loweth, who was a self-taught renowned railroad civil engineer with the Milwaukee Road. He designed the Museum site in 1916 for quick recovery from rapid major flooding.
(UPDATE 6/24 3:00 p.m.) The Sioux City Railroad Museum will be closed to the public to allow for flood recovery.
According to a Facebook post, the Sioux City Railroad Museum has damages to all its buildings from the pressure of the flood waters. The grounds are inundated with high levels of flood waters.
Below are photos of the current condition of the museum.
(UPDATE 6/24 11:15 a.m.) The Sioux City Railroad Museum has announced that the Milwaukee Railroad Repair Shops Historic District is significantly impacted and submerged by flood waters.
According to a post on the Sioux City Railroad Museum’s Facebook page, nearly all of the property is flooded with the water reaching 8 feet deep in some areas. The agricultural field, archaeology study area, and many buildings have been impacted.
The post noted that the turntable is completely submerged except for the top half of the control booth. Waters have stretched from the river levee to State Highway 12, which covers the parking lot.
The post also specified that the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places which includes the collection of buildings, locomotives, and rail cars.
The complex was built between 1916 and 1918, according to the post. The area was considered an industrious complex of 22 to 25 workshops and structures and was once the jobsite for over 565 workers during peak operations.
To view more coverage of the 2024 Siouxland flooding, click here.
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The Sioux City Railroad Museum has announced that they’ve begun preparing for flooding.
According to a post from the museum, they plan to begin flood preparations at around noon due to forecasts showing that flooding is possible in the area of the museum.
Due to the flood prep, the museum will not be open on Sunday.
Additionally, the museum stated that if anyone is interested in volunteering they would appreciate the extra hands. They hope to provide water and snacks to those willing to donate their time.