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U City residents blame large debris in River Des Peres for prolific flooding in 2022

University Heights Flood Task Force hosting a commemoration and meeting on July 26.

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. — Wednesday marks one year since historic flooding throughout St. Louis. University City was hit exceptionally hard and residents think they have figured out why ... debris. 

"One of the sore points in University City is that the River Des Peres goes underground here," University Heights resident Don Fitz tells 5 On Your Side. 

Standing in his neighbor's yard overlooking where the River Des Peres tunnel begins, he pointed out, "What you are seeing now is the stuff that did not go into the tunnel, but was left on top when the whirlpool settled." 

His outstretched finger identified trash, trees and limbs piled on top of the tunnel opening. 

Fitz and his fellow residents believe that the debris is left over from July 2022's historic flash flooding, "The tunnel was clogged and people here believe very strongly that the clogging of the tunnel was because it was not cleaned out."

No doubt cleaning will be on the agenda during the University Heights Flood Task Force meeting and commemoration on Wednesday. 

Fitz says, "People are going to be talking about what has been done, what still needs to be done and what people would like to be done."

Multiple representatives will be in attendance, including St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District's CEO and University City's Director of Public Works. 

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at University City High School.


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