ST. LOUIS (KTRS) Missouri Department of Transportation officials say Interstate 55, Route 61/67/Lemay Ferry/JeffCo Boulevard and Route 231/Telegraph Road at the Meramec between St. Louis Jefferson Counties are expected to close overnight because of the rising floodwaters. Flood relief efforts continue in the wake of the historic flooding in the region. St. Louis County leaders gathered this morning at the Office of Emergency Management to discuss those relief efforts. St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar asked for public cooperation. Flooding along the Meramec River in St. Louis County has already impacted about 200 homes, and St. Louis County’s emergency management chief says another 1,500 are in harm’s way.
In addition,Westbound I-44 is closed at I-270 while eastbound I-44 is closed at Route 100/Gray Summit. Local traffic only will be allowed westbound to Bowles and eastbound local traffic will be allowed to Pacific, Eureka and Route 109. Interstate traffic cannot get through this area. Route 100 between Gray Summit and I-270 will be the alternate route for I-44 travelers. Trucks traveling across the state are encouraged to take I-70.
Route 109 also closed at Eureka High School. County leaders also said sandbaggers are needed in Eureka. MODOT officials said motorists can expect I-44 between Route 100 and I-270 to remain closed throughout the weekend.
The flooding has forced cancellation of all classes in the Mehlville School District Wednesday, May 3rd because Telegraph, Lemay Ferry, and I-55 will close tonight. However, evening activities such as concerts and other school events tomorrow night can go on as scheduled. The closing of Mehlville school district classes tomorrow pushes the last day of school to May 25. Plus, Lindbergh Schools and Lindbergh Early Childhood Education will be closed Wednesday, May 3. All Lindbergh before-school, after-school and evening activities have also been canceled Wednesday. Rockwood School District officials have also canceled classes May 3.
The American Red Cross has opened shelters in a number of communities across the state, including Ballwin and Pacific in the St. Louis area to help those affected by storms and flooding. Shelters are being supported by Red Cross volunteers in Reeds Springs, Neosho and Annapolis. An additional shelter is on standby in Perryville. The shelter in Pacific is TriCounty Senior Center at 800 W. Union Street, Pacific, and in Ballwin at Manchester United Methodist Church.
