A “historic rain” in Missouri left impressive floods

It has been an intense morning in St. Louis, Missouri. Emergency crews have worked nonstop to rescue residents trapped in their households and in their vehicles after a night fell record torrential raincausing significant flooding.

According to the National Weather Service, During the electrical storm, more than 250 millimeters of rain fell, causing not only flooding, but also forcing authorities to close roads for safety.

The previous record of documented rainfall in the area had been 165 millimeters, and it had occurred on August 20, 1915.. That is why the authorities declared a state of emergency due to the dangerous floods that can put the lives of residents at risk.

Local television cameras have shown emergency officials working nonstop to rescue drivers trapped in their vehicles and people inside their homes in waist-deep water. Officially, the rescue of six people and six dogs trapped in the floods has been reported, but it is expected that the official number will increase as the hours go by.

The Missouri Department of Transportation decided this morning to close a portion of Interstate 70, at the height of St Peters, a suburb of St. Louis, because due to the accumulation of water, the area was at risk. In addition, several minor roads have also been closed.

The Missouri Highway Patrol has asked drivers to avoid driving until at least tonightwhen they expect the situation to improve.

For the moment, meteorologists keep flood alerts in effect until at least the early afternoon hours, although the alert could be extended. as new thunderstorms are forecast for today’s afternoon in Missouri and in Illinois, where up to 300 millimeters of rain can fall depending on the forecast.

The other problem they are looking at is the river and stream floodingwhich can make the flood last.

The most curious thing about the case is that it is an area that generally faces droughts, with which they are not used to facing this type of situation. Today’s session has been declared as “wettest in St. Louis history.”

In its warning, the National Weather Service did not skimp on the seriousness of the case. “We are facing a particularly dangerous situation. Seek shelter in higher ground right now”, they indicated in the statement.

For now, There have been no deaths as a result of the flood, but it is known that ten puppies died in an animal shelter.

Although the epicenter of the rain and flooding has been St. Louis, the affected area extends over 650 square kilometers, where there was heavy rain.

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