By Railfan & Railroad Staff

Flood waters inundated a number of communities in northwestern Iowa this week, taking out a bridge on BNSF Railway and impacting the Sioux City Railroad Museum. 

Heavy rain over the weekend resulted in high water in rivers and streams on Sunday. Late that night, the floodwaters took out BNSF’s bridge between North Sioux City, S.D., and Sioux City, Iowa. No trains were operating over the line at the time of the washout because of the dangerous conditions. BNSF officials said they are now detouring traffic around the bridge. The span was also used by the D&I Railroad. It’s unclear how long the bridge will be out. 

Meanwhile, floodwater impacted the Sioux City Railroad Museum, which announced on Facebook Monday that it would be closed for the foreseeable future. Photos posted online showed standing water in the Car Shops Learning & Event Center and the Roundhouse. Volunteers have been unable to access all of the museum’s buildings so it’s unclear how long the museum will be closed. Donations to the museum’s recovery can be made online.