Multiple highways across southeastern Minnesota are closed or partially blocked due to water over the roads, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Long-term Closure (estimated up to one week):
Northbound Highway 52 between Goodhue County Road 11 and Highway 60 near Pine Island due to culvert separation.
Detour: Goodhue County Road 11 to Wabasha County Road 1 to Highway 60 and west back to Highway 52. Expect long delays. Motorists should avoid the area.
Closed Highways:
NEW Highway 56 south of West Concord
Detour: Use local roads
Highway 218 at Highway 14 - road and ramps closed
Detour: Use local roads
Highway 74 north of Elba
Detour: Use local roads
Highway 58 north of Zumbrota
Detour changed to Goodhue County Road 10, east to Wabasha County Road 1 then north to Goodhue County Road 16 and west to Highway 58. Motorists should avoid the area.
Highway 60 west of Kenyon
Detour: North on Rice County Road 26, east on Highway 246, south on Highway 56 and then back to Highway 60.
Partially water-covered or mud-covered highways with a single lane open to traffic:
Highway 14 west of Owatonna, near Meriden
Highway 63 north of Zumbro Falls
Flooding is difficult to predict and roads may be closed or restricted without warning. Motorists are advised to check road conditions in advance of travel.
Mn/DOT crews are working around the clock to make highways safe, control flooding and repair roads when waters recess.
Every flood is dangerous to motorists. If you must travel follow these safe driving practices: Expect the unexpected? Flash floods can occur anytime, anywhere. Flooding can knock out bridges, undercut highways and clog roads with mudslides and debris. Mn/DOT will identify which roads are closed and warn motorists of potential pavement break up or soft shoulders that could give way. Drivers are warned not to drive around barricades and to check the state's traveler information Web site www.511mn.org or call 5-1-1 for road conditions, closures and alternate routes.
NOTE: Please use the low bandwidth option, as current high traffic volumes cause updating delays with the high bandwidth version. Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles and pick-ups.
When a road is closed it is illegal to travel in that area. Motorists can be fined up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail. In addition, if travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties will apply.