ST. LOUIS — Historic flooding throughout the St. Louis region ended the lives of at least five people in Missouri, officials confirmed to 5 On Your Side on Tuesday.
The deaths started Monday afternoon when a car driven by a 66-year-old man was swept away in Iron County. It was later found a half-mile downstream, with the man's body inside.
Early Tuesday morning, two other people died in Wright County when the vehicle they were in was swept away in flash flood waters. Both people reportedly tried to swim to dry ground and drowned. In a statement to Springfield NBC station KY3, officials confirmed both of the deceased were poll workers.
Later Tuesday, a woman was found dead inside a car on Bayless Avenue after floodwaters receded from the roadway. Hours later, officials confirmed a second fatality along the same creek.
"Floodwaters can be deeper than they appear and can hide such hazards as sharp objects, electrical wires, sewage and chemicals," according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. "There’s a possibility that the road that was once where the water is no longer exists. Even the best four-wheel-drive vehicle will lose against rapidly moving water and no traction."
The department shared the following tips when commuters are caught driving during flooding:
- Don't drive through flooded areas. Taking extra time to drive a detour sure beats running out of it.
- Less than six inches of water can turn your car into a poorly engineered canoe, with no ability to slow down, steer…or float.
- When you see water over the roadway, assume that the roadway below it is either damaged or destroyed.
- Your driving headlights should be turned on whenever you are using your windshield wipers. It’s the law!
- Reduce your speed for the conditions.
- Turn Around! Don’t Drown!
