ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A woman was found dead inside a car on Bayless Avenue Tuesday after floodwaters receded from the roadway.
Hours later, officials confirmed a second fatality along the same creek that caused the flooding on Bayless Avenue.
Gravois Creek flooded the roadway during heavy rains Tuesday morning, and first responders rescued people that were stranded by the water. Hours later, after the floodwaters receded, about a dozen police and fire vehicles returned to the scene.
Sgt. Tracy Panus with the St. Louis County Police Department said a business owner reported an SUV submerged in the water, prompting police and rescue crews to return. Once on the scene, rescuers found the woman dead inside the SUV.
Panus said five other cars were also found, but they were all empty.
According to a preliminary investigation, the woman drove her car into the water during the height of the flash flooding Tuesday morning.
Lieutenant Jason Brice with Lemay Fire Protection District confirmed at around 4 p.m. that crews are handling "a different fatal incident" near 1659 Avenue H, which is near Gravois Creek and Mt. Olive Cemetery.
The Affton, Lemay and Mehlville fire protection districts conducted water rescues in the area starting at 4 a.m. and lasting until about 8 a.m. The rescue teams had to use heavy machinery, boats and other equipment to get people out of the flooding.
Lt. Brice said it was a team effort with 10 rescues happening Tuesday morning. Lt. Brice said Tuesday afternoon crews continue to get calls for water in people's homes.
"The main concern is flooding in basements. Soon as crews got done with rescues they ran calls of water in basements and electrical concerns. We got crews going around making sure there's no hazards," Lt. Brice said.
Cars with flooding on Bayless Avenue were towed out of the street Tuesday afternoon.
The Missouri Department of Transportation had the road blocked as of 12:30. It was unclear how long the closure would last.