U.S. Highway 81 closed north of Columbus due to flooding

Officials with the Platte County Sheriff’s Department report that U.S. Highway 81, just north of Columbus, Nebraska, had to be closed Monday afternoon due to flooding.

Currently, all four lanes on U.S. 81 are closed from highway 22 to highway 91.

The Platte County area received a few inches of rainfall overnight, likely leading to the flooding.

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office reported on their Facebook page that the water levels were rising fast and had reached the northbound lanes during the morning hours.

After monitoring the situation, deputies decided to close the roadway until water levels recede.

More rainfall is expected to hit the Platte County area overnight.

Officials say they are monitoring the situation closely, and are waiting for the water to go down before re-opening the roadway.