ST. LOUIS – One person is dead following the historic flooding in St. Louis. St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson confirmed a body was found in a car once flood waters receded near Enright and Skinker.
During an afternoon briefing, Chief Jenkerson said a resident called the department around 10 a.m. to report a car in a low lying area. He said that area saw more than 8.5 feet of rain. Police are still investigating how that incident happened.
Chief Jenkerson said his department responded to about 70 rescues today. He explained their boats were fueled up and ready to go.
He said there was one house they were called back to twice.
“There was a couple who didn’t want to leave and then we had to come back because they were trapped in their attic,” said Chief Jenkerson.
He is asking people to please heed the warning of the first responders who have been through this type of incident before and evacuate when asked.
As of noon, there were still a few streets closed due to high water. Interim St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Mike Sack said the areas to avoid are:
Landsdowne and Chippewa
Rosedale and Enright
1100 block of Hodiamont
Vandeventer near Ikea
While the water is starting to recede, officials say the weight of the water is causing some problems for buildings. He said there are some partial roof collapses, some vacant buildings are also suffering from the stress of the water.
On Heritage, near McCausland and Southwest, about 18 homes were surrounded by water this morning. There were six people and six pets that had to be rescued from that area. The St. Louis Fire Department said 15 residents chose to stay in their homes.
Spectrum News spoke with some residents in that neighborhood who said they have never seen flooding like this on their block. The water was up to the steps near the front doors on some homes. One neighbor said a home had water all the way up to the rafters in its basement.
Officials did say River Des Peres is emptying quickly since the Mississippi River was at a lower level.