St. Louis Under Water: Flash Flood Emergency!
The St. Louis region is grappling with severe flash flooding after torrential downpours transformed roadways into raging rivers. A flash flood warning was issued Tuesday afternoon by the National Weather Service, covering St. Louis city, St. Louis County, St. Charles County in Missouri, and St. Clair County and Madison County in Illinois, until 6:30 p.m.
Interstate 70 eastbound was shut down at Bircher and Salisbury due to the dangerous conditions. Multiple streets became inundated, with one vehicle stranded at the intersection of Chouteau Avenue and South Tucker Boulevard. Flash flooding also impacted key interstate routes, including I-44, I-55, and I-64 near downtown St. Louis, and at the I-55/64 split in East St. Louis.
This follows Sunday's flash floods that also caused significant damage. Eastbound lanes of I-70 in North City were closed, and homes near Tucker Ave. and 13th St. suffered damage. Residents reported water rising rapidly, overwhelming storm basins and damaging vehicles and property.
Safety First: Don't Drive Through Floodwaters!
The St. Louis Fire Department issued a critical reminder: never drive through standing water. Just six inches of water can stall a car, and a foot can sweep it away. Your safety is paramount. Seek higher ground and avoid flooded areas.
Why is This Happening?
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) attributes the increased frequency and intensity of these events to climate change. They describe Sunday’s rainfall as a 500-year storm, with inches of rain falling in a short period. While MSD has invested in watershed improvements, the systems are struggling to handle the increased volume of water from these extreme weather events. MSD spokesperson Sean Stone stated, "With climate change, we’re seeing more frequent and powerful storms. The systems can’t handle the kinds of storms we get now."
- Avoid driving through flooded areas.
- Seek higher ground if flooding occurs.
- Stay informed about weather updates and warnings.
- Report any flooding or damage to the appropriate authorities.