Early Thursday, flash flooding forced officials to shut down a stretch of Interstate 90 near Dexter in southern Minnesota, with water covering travel lanes and cutting off east‑west traffic. Emergency crews set up detours while responders checked the roadway for damage and worked to clear it. Minnesota Department of Transportation photos shared with news outlets show floodwater spread across multiple lanes.
According to MPR News, the flooding over that segment of I‑90 prompted the closure, and the outlet’s coverage includes Minnesota Department of Transportation images of the highway under water.
Where I‑90 Is Closed
A civil emergency message posted to GovOneStop said I‑90 was closed in both directions "from Hwy 56 to Hwy 16" because of flooding and urged motorists to follow posted detours. Officials put alternate routes in place while crews evaluated whether the roadway was safe.
What the Weather Service Reported
The National Weather Service office in La Crosse issued flash‑flood warnings for parts of southeast Minnesota, noting radar‑estimated rainfall in some locations of roughly 1 to 3.5 inches and warning that highways and underpasses could be inundated. The National Weather Service repeated its standard guidance: turn around, don’t drown when you encounter flooded roads.
Why This Stretch Floods Quickly
This section of I‑90 cuts through the Dobbins Creek and Cedar River watershed, an area known for rapid runoff that can push water onto low crossings and ramps. The Cedar River Watershed District has built upstream storage berms such as the Dexter 30 project to blunt peak flows, but intense, concentrated storms can still overwhelm that system and send water onto the interstate. The district documents those efforts as part of its ongoing flood‑reduction work, and CRWD has detailed recent projects in the watershed.
Advice for Drivers
Minnesota Department of Transportation guidance stresses that drivers should never attempt to motor through standing water and that bypassing closures is illegal. Travelers are urged to check 511mn.org for the latest conditions and detours. MnDOT said crews will reopen I‑90 only when the roadway is safe and clear.
