Specifically, some controversy surrounds the balloon release: on the morning of the race, thousands of balloons float into the air in a tradition stretching back decades.īalloons have a strong presence in human history. Held annually, this event brings in multiple streams of revenue for Indiana, but some of the traditions practiced at the race may be negatively impacting the environment. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is home to one of the largest and oldest major races in the world, the Indianapolis 500. Natalia Welzenbach-Marcu | May 29th, 2019 The traveler Information encourages divers to check or call 80 if they have any questions before traveling through the Midwest.Įxperts advise people to stay cautious, and if they see roads with water over them, it’s best to turn around and find an alternate route, since it is impossible to guess how deep the water in the road could possibly be.īalloon releases are a traditional part of many public events, but the environmental harm outweighs the spectacle | Photo by Pixabay on Portions of highway 34 and highway 2 have also closed due to flooding. These heavy rains have caused significant damage to the roads and interstates, the interstate highway 29 in Iowa and Missouri have closed for the second time due to the flooding the first time was the flooding from early March, and now the road closes again after only two weeks of being repaired. The main concern of officials is not only the record-breaking rains and the rising river levels, but they are also concerned that the floods from early March, left the county with no protection against flooding, according to Iowa Public Radio. In the meantime, almost 300 people have been under obligatory evacuation in the western portion of Fremont County. The Missouri River in Plattsmouth, Neb., was at 31.3 feet, and could soon reach the moderate flooding stage.Īs rain continues to fall, residents from Mills County, Iowa, near the Missouri River, have been advised to evacuate the area for their own safety. The saturation of the soil, a large amount of rain and the river flow are once again causing road and highway closures, county evacuations and major floods warnings around the southwest part of the state.Īccording to the National Weather Service, the Missouri River in Nebraska City measured approximately 22.5 feet, and it soon could reach critical stages of flooding. Now, a second round of flooding is on the horizon, threatening those previously affected. People in Southwest Iowa suffered record-breaking flooding in mid-March thanks to the spring extreme rainfall and rapid snowmelt. Flooding in the Southwest Iowa affect residents and highways|Photo by Marion Patterson on Flickr