Southbound Hwy. 169 reopens near St. Peter after mudslides

SAINT PETER, Minn. (FOX 9) - Update: Southbound Highway 169 between Mankato, Minnesota and St. Peter reopened Thursday evening, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. 

Southbound Hwy. 169 near St. Peter, Minn. will remain closed overnight Wednesday after a mudslide blocked the roadway. 

Heavy rain caused flooded roads and mudslides in areas southwest of the Twin Cities metro Wednesday. MnDOT announced the road will remain closed due to continuing mudslides.

The southbound lanes of Hwy. 169 are closed and northbound traffic were reduced to one lane Wednesday. MnDOT advised drivers to take Hwy. 22 as an alternate route between St. Peter and Mankato. 

MnDOT crews worked throughout the day to clear mud, rocks and trees from the road and the mudslides continued. 

North of St. Peter, MnDOT closed Highway 112 in Le Sueur due to water on the road. Drivers are reminded not to driver through standing water. 

The National Weather Service has issues a Flash Flood Warning for an area that includes St. Peter, New Prague and Le Sueur until 3:15 p.m. Rain is expected to continue throughout the day and into Thursday morning.