285 roads are closed in MO due to flooding and much of STL is underwater [View all]

[loyalsister]

First responders from outisde cities and towns are deploying to the hard hit areas.

The Mississippi River was expected to crest Thursday in downtown St. Louis at 43.7 feet, nearly 14 feet over flood stage. That would be the second highest crest on record, nudging aside the April 1973 flood of 43.2 feet. The forecast crest still would be about 6 feet lower than the record from Aug. 1, 1993.

The notoriously fast-rising Meramec was causing the most havoc, advancing toward I-44 and against the new levee system at Valley Park, which was built after a record flood there in December 1982. The Meramec jumped 27 feet from Saturday to late Tuesday, when it was at 35 feet and heading toward a crest Thursday of 43 feet — more than 3 feet over the record. It will test the top of the levee.

The Meramec also threatened several other records along its lower reaches.

Valley Park Mayor Mike Pennise said he recommended that people living near the levee move out and promised to order a mandatory evacuation when the river reaches 40 feet. He said the levee protects to 44 feet, and flood gates to 42.5 feet, but crews can top the thick gates with sandbags if necessary.


http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/flooding-spreads-through-the-st-louis-region/article_d1ef5a26-b8c8-5cb1-b929-4867cbf72eae.html

Flood records that were set in spring and summer months are being broken. You'd think it was getting warmer or something!
I wonder if there will be some climate change converts. It will be interesting to see what MO republican legislators have to say about it.