The sign at the pedestrian detour pointed directly toward the flooded underpass.
Eli held a lamp while the municipal route officer, Salim, examined it. The arrow had been placed before the water rose. A second sign lay face down in the grass, its post pulled loose from the wet ground.
“If someone follows this after dark, they won’t see the barrier until they’re already descending,” Salim said.
Kellan lifted the fallen sign. “Where does the dry route begin?”
“Along the service road, then across the raised footpath. It reaches the staffed waiting point on the far bank.”
“Have you walked it since the flood?”
“Not all the way. I’m going now.”
Eli carried two lamps. Kellan brought a tool kit and a strip of reflective tape. Salim led them along the service road while another officer remained at the near-bank entrance. They did not tell travelers the route was open until Salim had checked it.
