ST. LOUIS — Gov. Mike Parson has activated emergency operations for the state after heavy rain and flash flooding impacted the St. Louis area.
St. Louis County emergency operations will stay activated at least through Saturday morning as the Meramec River is expected to crest Friday night, according to Michele Ryan, director of the St Louis County Office of Emergency.
A shelter was set up this morning at the Mid-County YMCA for those affected by the flooding.
Ryan also expects the flood gates in Valley Park to close, most likely Wednesday night.
Some St. Louis County roads are currently closed with more expected to be closed over the next few days as river levels begin to crest, according to Stephanie Leon Streeter, director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works.
Roads and areas around the Meramec River are the most affected, she said, including Tree Court, Marshall, Meramec Bottom, Hawkins, Baumgartner and Butler Hill.
The Bayless Bridge, east of Interstate 55 is closed.
Residents affected by the flood are urged to call the United Way at 211, which will connect them with resources.
On Tuesday morning, a command center was established in Brentwood where the area experienced heavy flooding, specifically along the Hanley Road corridor at Manchester, according to Jim Silvernail, fire chief for Kirkwood and Glendale, and mutual aid coordinator for Missouri.
He said businesses and cars were impacted. Deer Creek in Maplewood also caused flooding.
The first call for rescue was at 3:30 a.m. with calls continuing until 7 a.m., Silvernail said.
Boat operators were on site searching for those who needed to be rescued from buildings and vehicles. Silvernail said he does not have an exact number of how many people were rescued, “but it was significant.”
He mentioned there were rescues in north and south St. Louis Counties too.
Silvernail said state and mutual aid will be ready if needed.
The St. Louis County Police Department assisted area fire departments with nine water rescues in Affton and Mehlville, according to Lt. Col. Jim Schneider with the St. Louis County Police Department.
He said people were trapped along the Gravois Creek area, from Green Park to Bayless and Interstate 55.
Two bodies were found in the floodwaters in that part of the county.