road closures

Flooding, road closures in Upper Midwest entering 4th week

Orange "Road Closed Ahead" sign near flooded highway.

Flooding has kept sections of state and U.S. highways closed for three weeks in the Upper Midwest, showing no signs of letting up the next few days.

Where it started

From April 22 to 24, parts of eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota were drenched with 2 to 4 inches of rain, as well as rapid snow melt. Several more rounds of rain followed, including another inch Monday.

Places like Grand Forks and Fargo already have month-to-date rain surpluses for May, with totals so far of 1.71 and 2.27,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/flooding-road-closures-in-upper-midwest-entering-4th-week

High winds boosting rollover risk for truckers in Southwest

White CSX trailer tipped over onto side of a highway.

Truckers will have to battle wind gusts exceeding 50 mph Wednesday and possibly Thursday across the Four Corners region and other parts of the Southwest. This will increase the risk of rollovers not only for drivers who are deadheading (hauling empty dry van or temperature-controlled trailers), but even for drivers carrying full truckloads of freight.

Target areas

Gusts will range from 45 to 55 mph in many portions of southeastern California, including Barstow; southern Nevada, including Las...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/high-winds-boosting-rollover-risk-for-truckers-in-southwest

Wildfire risk heating up for truckers in Southwest

Hermits Peak fire in New Mexico, with white Forest Service pickup truck in foreground.

As fire weather conditions rise across the Southwest, truckers may run into road closures, low visibility due to smoke, and a high risk of rollovers.

Most of the large wildfires are in New Mexico — five of them, according to the Inciweb interactive map. Sections of at least 12 state highways are still closed due to these fires, especially in the Santa Fe and Las Vegas areas.

The Southwest side of the Calf Canyon Fire this afternoon. Plans have been made to deal with this fire activity but...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/wildfire-risk-heating-up-for-truckers-in-southwest

Biden approves funding for New Mexico wildfire victims

White building in the foreground with a wildfire burning in the background near Las Vegas, New Mexico.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved a disaster declaration for New Mexico, which has been hit by a series of large wildfires since early April. These fires have damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes, businesses and other structures, forcing thousands of people to evacuate.

Also, sections of at least 12 state highways are still closed due to the fires, especially in the Santa Fe and Las Vegas areas.

The federal declaration came in response to a request by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/biden-approves-funding-for-new-mexico-wildfire-victims

Upper Midwest flooding could last until late May

Orange and white barricades on a flooded road.

Parts of the Upper Midwest have been flooded for at least a week — and there may be no relief in sight until late May.

It started with heavy rain the weekend of April 23-24 — up to 4 inches in some spots — and rapid snow melt. Then there was an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain and a bit more snow melt the following weekend.

Areas along the Red River of the North and many of its tributaries overflowed their banks, but it didn’t happen right away.

“It takes a little bit of time to get into the river...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/upper-midwest-flooding-could-last-until-late-may

Flooding continues along I-29 in Upper Midwest

Barricade blocking flooded road.

Recent heavy rain and rapid snow melt have caused flooding along the Red River of the North in the Upper Midwest.

It’s been an issue for a week and a half, with sections of several state and U.S. highways still closed in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota, according to state transportation officials. This includes North Dakota Route 18 at the port of entry into Canada. Truckers will have to use alternate routes to Manitoba. Route 18 is also closed in other locations. Other closures in...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/flooding-continues-along-i-29-in-upper-midwest

Flood threat rising in Upper Midwest

"Road Closed" sign in front of flooded street.

Heavy rain has caused flooding and road closures in the Upper Midwest, mainly along the Red River of the North and its tributaries.

Thompson Dam in Carlton MN. Wow, it was very dry last summer, but now it's running fast. #MNwx pic.twitter.com/ERbotxDyB2

— Gabe_Z (@GabezWX) April 25, 2022

Parts of eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota that were covered in snow received 2 to 4 inches of rain last Friday through Sunday, with the bulk of the rain hitting on Saturday. Waterways swelled...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/flood-threat-rising-in-upper-midwest

Major South African container port partly reopens after flood

Container stacks at the Port of Durban, South Africa.

Major flooding this week has kept truckers and dockworkers from reaching the Port of Durban in South Africa. Increasing cargo backlogs are likely until roads leading to the port are repaired.

Heavy rain threatens cargo shipments

Since Sunday, torrential rains and heavy flooding have swept across the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, damaging infrastructure and disrupting port operations. Several areas recorded as much as 13 inches of rain in less than 24 hours, amounts typically associated...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/major-south-african-container-port-partly-reopens-after-flood

Late-season blizzard heading to Rockies and Plains

Tractor-trailer in heavy snow.

A late-season blizzard could severely slow down or even shut down transportation, supply chains and freight flows this week from the Rockies to south-central Canada.

The same storm that dumped heavy snow in high elevations of the Northwest over the weekend will become stronger as it moves farther inland. The worst conditions for truckers who can’t avoid the storm will likely be Tuesday and Wednesday, especially in the northern Rockies and northwestern South Dakota, as well as western and central...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/late-season-blizzard-heading-to-rockies-and-plains

Truckers to face whiteout conditions in Northwest

A strong snowstorm that began in the Northwest on Sunday will gain more steam early this week.

Related: 5 states with toughest chain laws for truckers

A potent cold front will move across the region through Tuesday, producing heavy snow, powerful winds and periods of whiteout conditions.

By the time the storm fades, many high elevations of the Washington and Oregon Cascades will be slammed with more 24 to 48 inches of snow and wind gusts exceeding 50 mph. Similar winds will hit parts of the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/truckers-to-face-whiteout-conditions-in-northwest

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