This week’s flooding in the Raccoon River Valley area has forced state, county, and local parks to be closed in Guthrie County.

Springbrook State Park north of Guthrie Center is closed due to rapidly rising flood waters. Guthrie Center Streets Superintendent Bob Secoy says Mitchell Park has been closed since 4 p.m. Wednesday, and the street entrance to Guthrie Center Elementary from Highway 25 was closed from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. today. Guthrie County Conservation staff barricaded the road at Lenon Mill Park Wednesday and it has since flooded. Nations Bridge Park is still accessible, though the stream was approximately one foot short of cresting the bridge on Wagon Wheel Road.

Guthrie County Engineer Josh Sebern called this week’s flooding a “major event,” and secondary roads staff are continuously assessing road and bridge damage. Sebern says no roads were officially closed during the event. Though river levels are starting to recede, Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf expects the area to continue to have ice jam problems throughout the weekend. Some of the highest river levels were at 23.5 feet at the Middle Raccoon River near Springbrook State Park, and 22 feet at the South Raccoon River near Redfield. It’s a long journey ahead for damage to County roads and bridges to be repaired, and parks such as Springbrook could be closed for several days to allow water to recede and cleanup efforts to take place. Kempf is reaching out to City officials and residents to collect flood damage information in an effort to apply for financial assistance programs. If you would like to report flood-related damage for possible financial assistance, call 641-332-3030.