ST. LOUIS — Strong winds, hail and heavy rain have caused damage around the St. Louis area Wednesday.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol shut now parts of Missouri 185 at East Vine due to water on the roadway. The highway patrol said there was a water rescue. Officials say everyone is now safe.
That is in the same area where a tornado destroyed a bar during severe storms on Tuesday.
J.T. Hardy with Sullivan Emergency Management said the fire department and the Missouri Department of Transportation are handling the water rescue.
Hardy said his department was closing part of Missouri 185 due to high waters. He said his department is working to clear downed trees.
The portions of the following roads in the area are closed due to water or downed trees:
- Highway 185 at the North and South intersection
- Blair Street
- Elmont Road
- Main and Lakeview Drive
He advised residents not to travel.
In Jefferson County, the sheriff's office provided a list of roads flooded as of 2:25 p.m.
Traffic is slow going right now on Interstate 44 near Highway 50 near Union, where there is water across the road. Traffic is moving, but slowly, as emergency crews are on the scene dealing with the flash flooding.
Officials in Franklin County have confirmed the following storm reports:
- There is water over the roadway at Little Boone Creek Rd. That's the Spring Bluff area. the highway department is headed that way.
- There is a fire in an attic reported just east of the Union area along Fairway Drive. They believe that fire was sparked by lightning.
Large hail has been reported around the area. Large hail was reported in Hillsboro, Festus and other locations as the storm moved through.
