NEW ! Please see the I-29 Road Closure - Inspector Recommended Detours post for 3 suggested detours for I-29 between Omaha, NE and Kansas City, MO.
Flooding has had an effect on travel this spring and early summer through parts of the midwestern United States and Canada, and I have seen some of the results myself. In May, hotels in Winnipeg were jammed with evacuees from flooded areas and the word I heard was that they would be there into the summer. So, if you are heading that way, it would be a good idea to plan your hotel stays ahead of time.
Traveling back to Alberta I saw more water in the ditches and fields than I ever have before, which will most likely have an effect on farming efforts. Recently just south of Williston, North Dakota, I saw lakes on the side of the road which surely were not there before because fully mature trees stood right in the middle of them.
If you are visiting these areas this summer, there is likely no need to cancel your plans altogether. Some hotel operators in the Black Hills of South Dakota are telling me that people are canceling because they are worried about flooding. Most areas, however, are not affected at all. The key is to plan ahead. A little extra planning will save you from the mistake I made when traveling to Winnipeg from North Dakota.
After a long drive I was looking forward to reaching my hotel only to find that Highway 75 north of the border had been closed and I had to tack another hour onto my drive because of poor planning. You can check state (DOT websites) and province maps (e.g.,
Manitoba) online for road closures due to flooding and for delays you might encounter due to construction, which is always a factor in summer travel. Take your time and enjoy your trip and you may find some unexpected pleasures along the way by taking the less traveled roadways.
You can be sure I will be checking for the best way to get to the airport in Minot, North Dakota, when I fly out of that city because they are definitely one of the places having serious flooding. This is one area to avoid as travel through the city is not recommended at this time.
