AKRON, IA -
It happens every year around this time: the Big Sioux River rises, flooding thousands of acres worth of farmland.
Heavy rain to the north has pushed the river to flood stage near Akron, Iowa.
Signs warning people "Travel At Your Own Risk" are posted just about everywhere right now, because many roads here are also flooded.
But it's no big deal to people in Akron, who say it happens almost every year.
Akron resident Katie Larsen says they rarely see the river flood the main highways, but the water does affect her parents just a few miles away in South Dakota.
"Because of the river, their property gets flooded almost every year, and they get trapped for a couple of days," she said.
When we were in Akron just the other day, the water that lines Highway 48 wasn't even there, and it's supposed to get even higher.
To get a better view of the rising waters, we took to the skies. The river is set to top out at more than 18 feet by early Friday morning. It shouldn't affect any homes or major roads, unless it pushes 2 to 3 feet higher. One local business owner says the flooding can be quite a burden.
"It does get frustrating, last year, we had to drive 40 miles out of our way, each way, so that's 80 miles a trip, to get to and from home," said Joseph Hook.
But it's a trip they make year after year, as they wait for the water to recede and things to get back to normal.
If you've never seen it before, and want to check it out by helicopter like I did, you can take a ride with Skyway Helicopters. They'll be at Martin Field in South Sioux City and Atlantis Black Cat Fireworks sales in North Sioux City this weekend.
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If you'd like to contact Heather Leigh, you can e-mail her at Hleigh@kmeg.com or facebook her at www.facebook.com/heatherleighKMEG
