ST. LOUIS — Flash flooding and heavy rain led to closures on two major interstates and turned roads into impromptu rivers Monday morning.
There were issues on I-64, I-44 and I-70 as well as in Eureka, Maryland Heights, Chesterfield and several other spots across the area.
According to the National Weather Service, Union had the most rain this morning at 5.63 inches, followed closely by Godfrey, Illinois, and Eureka, both of which had 5.5 inches.
In Maryland Heights, which got 4 inches of rain, the police department tweeted a photo of deep water near the area of Adie Road and Schuetz. The photo showed a box truck and SUV stalled in the water. Officers blocked the area to keep drivers from going into the flooded intersection.
The Monarch Fire Protection District in Chesterfield also warned drivers to ‘turn around, don’t drown.’ They received six calls related to flash flooding. Four of them required firefighters to rescue people from cars, including one on Schoettler Road and another on Wildhorse Creek.
Included in those water rescues were a mother and her baby. Their car went into the water at White and Conway and wasn't able to get out. Firefighters quickly rescued them.
'If there is water covering the road do NOT attempt to cross it. You are putting your life and others at risk,' the district wrote on Twitter.
Eureka was one of the hardest hit areas Monday morning. Flash flooding damaged businesses, homes and cars in a popular area of downtown Eureka. Several roads are closed, including Central Avenue. According to the Eureka Missouri Community Facebook page, the businesses affected by flash flooding include Joe Boccardi's, La Finca Coffee and O'Dell's Irish Pub & Ale House.
Earlier in the morning, I-64 westbound was shut down just before Hampton in St. Louis. A car stalled on the road. The view from a 5 On Your Side photojournalist showed a car stopped on the interstate in the far right lanes surrounded by water.
Emergency crews had to close off the westbound lanes in the area to drain the water and move the car.
All lanes have reopened and traffic is moving again on I-44 after a tractor trailer crashed across all eastbound lanes. It happened in Franklin County at Route 50 in Union. MoDOT's traffic camera showed the semi truck blocking the eastbound traffic.
The crash happened at about 3:15 a.m. Emergency crews have since reopened all lanes.
TRAFFIC: Live interactive traffic map
Slight flooding continued to be a concern as drivers made their way into work during the morning commute.
5 On Your Side viewer Kate Hayes shared a video of drivers slowly making their way through standing water on Interstate 70.
'Here’s a look at Eastbound I-70 just west of Kingshighway as we headed out of St. Louis about an hour ago. So. Much. Rain. We left from St. Peters & went through several sections like this on both sides of the bridge. Be careful out there #STL!' Hayes tweeted.
The flash flooding happened as showers and thunderstorms moved through the bi-state area.
A flash flood warning was in effect for most of the metro area, including the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles and Florissant. It expired at 10 a.m.
RADAR: Live interactive radar map
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