PACIFIC, Mo. — The sunrise revealed flooded roads and properties in Pacific, Missouri on Friday morning.
Earlier in the week the National Water Prediction Service (NOAA) predicted that the Meramec River would crest at 26.4 feet by noon on Friday prompting evacuations, filling sandbags, and road closures.
Friday morning, water spilled out onto blocked-off streets and residential yards but no significant damage was reported.
The Meramec River reached over 30 feet in 2015 and in 2017 when the water destroyed several homes and businesses.
"Since then, the landscape has changed out here, there are many buildings that are no longer standing. People have elevated their homes, but with those houses and businesses that were here back then no longer here, the water has just kind of taken a different direction than what we've seen in years past," said Mayor Heather Filley.
5 On Your Side asked the mayor if there was any effort the city could take to prevent flooding in the area.
"Not at this time. We're not, you know, those are conversations that we have to have with the, the Army Corps of Engineers to determine, is there a great need for something like a levee or a wall?" Filley said. "And if we were to do so, how is that going to have a greater impact on those other communities around us?"
Filley urged residents who evacuated to proceed back into the area with caution.
"Don't immediately go back into them just because the water is not there. Please wait for our inspectors to come to inspect your homes with you to ensure they are safe," he said.
On Friday morning, the following road closures were in place:
- Denton Road is closed from Jefferson Rd northward. Industrial Park employees and trucks can temporarily use Candlewick and Highway N, and the emergency gate access on the west end of Jefferson.
- 1st Street. is now closed between the Meramec River and Congress Street.
- South 2nd Street and South 3rd Street. are closed south of Congress Street.
Those in need of shelter can go to the Tri-County Community Senior Center or Mission Community Church through Saturday.