ST. LOUIS — A portion of Interstate 70 in St. Louis is back open after a water main break left parts of it flooded Saturday night.
Westbound and eastbound lanes of the interstate were closed for hours near Union Boulevard. According to the St. Louis Fire Department, the water main break is off of Bircher Boulevard.
St. Louis' water department was on scene to begin repairs. A boil order has not been issued as of now, a spokesperson said. Officials asked people to avoid the area as crews worked to repair the water main break.
Video captured by a 5 On Your Side photojournalist showed several cars going through the water before it was closed down.
Missouri Department of Transportation traffic cameras showed traffic being backed up as the water started to flood the interstate.
The St. Louis Fire Department said a woman and her four children were rescued from the car in the photo below on the interstate. Captain Mosby also said several occupants from another vehicle were rescued and several other vehicles were trapped in the water.
5 On Your Side's Justina Coronel spoke to one person who said the water started rupturing in front of him and he decided to go through it.
"It took like two seconds for it and I was shocked and I had to orient myself and how to get out of it and I’m still shocked," he said.
"It started rising to my leg and the brakes are covered, the seats are covered and it didn’t rise anymore. I was freaking out but you just gotta meditate and ground yourself and tell yourself everything is going to be all right."
Another person stopped to make sure people were OK.
"I wanted to make sure people were OK, that’s why I really did pull over to make sure no one was down there fearing for their life," Olivia Woodard said.
This is a developing story and will be updated as 5 On Your Side receives more information.