St. Louis County emergency officials respond to flash flooding
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Severe flash floods devastated the St. Louis area Monday night into Tuesday morning, prompting an emergency news conference from St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and local officials at the Emergency Operations Center.
"We're not looking at a 2015 (or) 2017 scenario; that was sort of the worst we've seen in current times," St. Louis County Director of Emergency Management Michele Ryan said. "What we are looking at something, current numbers, about half that size. I would expect the flood gates of Valley Park will close."
According to Ryan, the department set up a shelter at the Mid-County YMCA for those affected by the flooding. A Bellefontaine Neighbors polling place lost power but the power has been restored. The director stated while flooding levels haven't reached historic highs, major roads and parks will remain affected. There was an area command post established in Brentwood where a majority of the flooding occurred.
"So, we had a lot of operations in that area. It started about 3:30 for the first call for rescue and continued on 'til about 7 in the morning. Our boat operators were taking the boats and our swift water technicians (and) going into the businesses. Searching every business in that area, searching any car, answering any call for a stranded vehicle," Chief Jim Silvernail, mutual aid coordinator for Regency-Missouri, said.
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St. Louis County police warned drivers to avoid flooded roads to prevent more tragedies, and the director of public works added that her team is monitoring and closing additional roads as waters continue to rise.
"Currently, around the Meramec River, the roads and areas there are currently the most affected and probably will be for the days to come," St. Louis County Director of Transportation & Public Works Stephanie Leon Streeter said.
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page wants residents to call 211 for post-emergency support, helping track incidents and connect people with resources.
