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Update, July 26, 4 p.m.: Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency in response to the heavy rain and flooding in the St. Louis area. Kehoe was acting on behalf of Governor Mike Parson, who is out of the country on a trip promoting Missouri trade.
"With record rainfall impacting the St. Louis region and the potential for additional rain and isolated thunderstorms, we want to ensure that our communities have every resource available to respond and protect Missourians," Parson said in a release. "Our state government team will work to assist affected Missourians and provide ongoing relief and support during this emergency. We urge Missourians to follow the direction of local authorities and emergency managers, never drive in floodwaters, and always use common sense to prevent injury."
“State agencies are prepared and ready to provide assistance to Missourians in flood-impacted areas,” Kehoe said in a release. “Enacting the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan enables us to work more efficiently and effectively with local partners and ensures affected communities in the St. Louis region will have access to necessary resources and services.”
Also in the release, State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard urged anyone impacted by the flooding—outside of an emergency—to call 2-1-1 to reach the United Way.
Update, July 26, 2:20 p.m.: The City of St. Louis provided an update Tuesday afternoon regarding the historic rain and deadly flooding that pummeled St. Louis early Tuesday morning. The city recommends avoiding the following areas:
- Lansdowne & Chippewa on River Des Peres
- Enright & Skinker & Rosedale
- 1100 Block of Hodiamont
- Southbound Vandeventer at Ikea
Update, July 26, 12:25 p.m.: The National Weather Service St. Louis shared updated total rainfalls for areas around St. Louis, with a site 2 miles north of St. Peters receiving the most, at more than 12 inches.
Update, July 26, noon: The City of St. Louis held a briefing on Tuesday to update the public on the historic rain that fell in St. Louis overnight and into Tuesday morning. St. Louis Fire Department Chief Dennis Jenkerson said that one fatality—a person pulled out of a flooded car—has been recorded. He urged people to continue to use caution on roadways and to avoid standing water.
You can watch the briefing below:
Original story: Tuesday morning saw record-breaking weather in St. Louis. Thunderstorms overnight on Monday caused more than 8 inches of rain, a downpour that left streets flooded and conditions dangerous by 7 a.m. Tuesday. The all-time daily rainfall record, according to the National Weather Service St. Louis, had been 6.85 inches, caused by remnants of the 1915 Galveston Hurricane. Tuesday's rainfall shattered the 100-year-old record by more than an inch.
Channel 5 meteorologist Anthony Slaughter predicted that the rain will stop Tuesday afternoon but that the area could see more precipitation Tuesday evening, Wednesday, and Thursday. Those rainfall totals are expected to be much lower than Tuesday morning's.
Those seeking shelter from the rain and flooding can head to the Richmond Heights Community Center at 8001 Dale.
Flooded roads meant that Tuesday morning's commute was not only hectic but also dangerous. The Missouri State Highway Patrol urged motorists to stay off interstates in St. Charles and St. Louis counties during the heavy rainfall and rush hour traffic to avoid getting trapped in their vehicles in standing water. Major highways were closed at several points due to flooding, including Interstate 64 at Grand, part of Interstate 55, Interstate 44 at Hampton, Interstate 44 at Jefferson, Interstate 70 at Natural Bridge and Jennings Station, and Interstate 70 at Mid Rivers Mall in St. Charles. The Missouri Department of Transportation offers a map that can help you determine if roads near you are closed due to flooding.
Social media recorded flooded streets, cars stuck in standing water, water rescues, and more.
The intense rain follows a weekend during which temperatures reached more than 100 degrees across the St. Louis region. In October 2021, St. Louis Magazine explored St. Louis' potential as a climate haven after a recent United Nations climate report predicted increases in extreme precipitation and river flooding. Climate havens are places where the risk of natural disasters like inland flooding, rising sea levels, and wildfires are low. We concluded that St. Louis doesn't have what it takes to be considered a climate haven right now. But, we wrote, "Just like the rest of the world, there are key changes that St. Louis can make so that the city is more inhabitable when it matters most."
