AMES, Iowa—Changes in the flood forecast may cause the Iowa Department of Transportation to close U.S. 30 between Boone County Road R-18 and Iowa 17 near Boone earlier than previously announced. New water level readings suggest the roadway will likely be closed as early as noon on July 4. The road is expected to remain closed due to flooding until approximately 5 p.m. July 13, according to the Iowa DOT’s District 1 Office.

During this closure, traffic will be detoured using Boone County Roads R-18, E-57 and Iowa 17.

If you are driving and come upon rapidly rising waters, turn around and find another route. If your route is blocked by barricades, find another route. Barricades are put up by state or local officials to protect travelers from unsafe roads. Driving around them can be a serious risk.

• The road may be washed out below the water surface.
• Your vehicle may stall or get stuck in the water, and then get pushed off the road. Once off the road, vehicles often start to roll, making escape difficult or impossible.
• Many flood-related deaths in the United States are the result of an attempt to move a stalled vehicle.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

To receive email or text alerts about traffic incidents, road closures, traffic delays, and other restrictions that affect this highway route or other routes you travel, the Iowa DOT offers the “Your 511” option on 511ia.org. It’s easy to subscribe to Your 511 and sign up to receive the email/text alerts. Visit https://iowadot.gov/511/511-full-feature-website-help/how-to-videos for simple, step-by-step instructions.

(contributed article, Iowa DOT)