HOISINGTON — At 8:58 this morning, the Kansas Department of Transportation issued a release stating U.S. 281 will remain closed for the time being between the bridge over Blood creek to south of the Hoisington city limit due to flooding.

Crews have been out flagging since late last night. 

Traffic is being routed on local county blacktops until the water recedes.  Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said as of Tuesday morning, traffic between Hoisington and Great Bend was being routed to K 4 to the Boyd blacktop, but it was uncertain for how much longer. Another alternate route is K 4 to K 156 between Claflin and east of Great Bend.  Township roads are being closed both east and west of Hoisington as they are covered in water.  But, water is still coming into Cheyenne Bottoms.

“Stay of gravel roads, or you’ll be sorry,” Bellendir said.  

KDOT warns, “Do not drive into areas of standing water. Turn around, don’t drown.”