U.S. Highway 259 between DeKalb, Texas, and Idabel, Okla. closed over floods.

The Red River continues to cause problems for Ark-LaTex motorists as more roads were closed Wednesday night because of floodwaters.

Texas Department of Transportation closed U.S. Highway 259 between DeKalb, Texas, and Idabel, Okla., Wednesday night as water began running over the highway south of the river. Barricades will be placed north and south of the Red River bridge, along with portable message boards at major intersections to alert drivers.

About 4:30 a.m. Thursday, TxDOT and Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department closed Texas Highway 8 and Arkansas Highway 41 between New Boston, Texas, and Foreman, Ark. Barricades and message boards were placed north and south of the bridge for driver safety.

TxDOT personnel will remain at the flooded sections of the roadways until the water recedes, which could take several days, said TxDOT Public Information Officer Marcus Sandifer. Further road closures are expected to occur in the next 48 hours further downstream from U.S. Highway 259.

Motorists needing to travel these highways are advised to find alternate routes. For U.S. 259 detours, TxDOT recommends taking state Highway 37 north out of Clarksville and U.S. Highway 271 north out of Paris. Both routes connect with U.S. Highway 70, which runs towards Idabel and Broken Bow, Okla.

For Highway 8 alternate routes, AHTD advises going east on Interstate 30 or U.S. Highway 71 and west on Arkansas Highway 32 toward Foreman.

Both departments warn motorists that it is illegal to remove barricades and that they should never try to walk, swim or drive through swift water. If a vehicle stalls in deep water, drivers are advised to leave it and move to higher ground if they can do so safely.

For Texas road conditions and traffic updates, visit drivetexas. org, facebook.com/txdot and twitter.com/txdot or call 903799-1306. For Arkansas, visit idrivearkansas.com.