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Flooding Could Close NE Missouri Roads for Weeks

Credit Jason Parrott
MoDOT crews have been closing off flooded roads since late Wednesday evening.

Heavy rain throughout Northeast Missouri this week has resulted in widespread road closures. As of 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, the subsequent flooding resulted in 135 roads being closed by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Paula Gough, District Engineer for MoDOT’s Northeastern District, said crews started blocking access to roads late Wednesday evening.  She said some flooding is expected this time of year, but the amount of current closures is out of the ordinary.

Road closures in Northeast Missouri as of 3pm Thursday.
Credit Missouri Department of Transportation

Gough is concerned about the condition of local roads once the water levels recede.

“People may see…a lot of the crossroad culverts, the pipes that go underneath the road…washed out and possibly damaged. We’ll actually see parts of the road that have been cut away from the raging water, so part of the roadway could be gone,” she said.

Gough said some repairs can be completed fairly quickly, allowing roads to be reopened sooner.  She said others might take upwards of two weeks if specialized equipment is required.

MoDOT's advice to drivers: Plan ahead and allow extra time if traveling through northeast Missouri.  You can click here for a map of real time road closures.