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University City residents scramble to escape flash flooding

Rushing water moved cars and people had to wade out of their apartments

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. — Four to five inches of rainfall across the region was no match for the River Des Peres. 

In University City the river overflowed, spilling into the apartments on Westover Ct. 

Curtis Daniels was out for an early morning walk when he observed the River Des Peres dropping around 5 am, "The water had receded. Then I went back up, got some breakfast and within ten minutes cars were just moved up and flooded. It was sad."

Many neighbors told 5 On Your Side flooding happens around this complex often, but the situation this morning was extraordinarily fast. 

In under an hour, floodwaters had rushed in and rushed out. That short time was enough to damage many of the first-floor units, which were condemned later in the day. 

Cars in the parking lot floated into each other and some were pushed into the nearby trees and brush. 

The dumpster was carried away by the fervent water and deposited one block over. 

University City police and fire were on the scene quickly helping residents evacuate. Emergency crews drove evacuees to the community center where the American Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter. 

Members of the American Red Cross were at the apartment complex later in the day to help residents displaced by the flooding. 

An apartment complex on Hafner Court also had to be evacuated around 6 am Monday morning.

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