Wednesday, December 30, 2015

It's A Real Mess Out There

Hubby Tony and I are invited to an engagement party tonight, and then tomorrow night our New Year's Eve plans will take us in the same general direction.  However, we won't be using the most direct route to get there; it's under water.

KMOV
2015 is turning out to be the wettest December on record for the metropolitan St. Louis area.  The storm that put us over the edge started late Friday night, and the deluge kept going until Monday. As a result of the rain we're projected to have some of the worst flooding in the past 20 years.  Creeks and rivers have been overflowing their banks, and some levees have been overtopped.

The intersection in the picture is Highway 141, which goes under Interstate 44.  That's water from the Meramec River you see swirling around.  Since this photo was taken the water has risen even more, closing the interstate completely.  There are several surface road detours that are available, but not surprisingly they're congested.  When Tony took one of them to meet some friends last night he reported it was stop and go the whole way.  This morning I got stuck in more traffic (and what should have been a five minute trip took 20 minutes).  We're already talking about how we need to modify our plans for the next few days.

The good news is that this mess won't last forever.  The rivers in the area are supposed to crest today, and the roads are projected to be cleaned and ready to use by the weekend. 

Five years ago today: For All My Super Mom Friends
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14 comments:

  1. Joanne NoragonDecember 30, 2015 at 3:02 PM

    When I was young we camped at campgrounds along the Meramec River and visited the caverns a couple of times. I wonder how the storm has affected the caverns.

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    1. Kathy GDecember 30, 2015 at 4:32 PM

      The cavern's website said it was closed due to flooding. I guess other details will be revealed down the line.

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  2. TeriDecember 30, 2015 at 3:35 PM

    Yeah, we're coming up to the city tonight for a family meal out. I'm dreading the traffic. Hubby is amazed at the water... but for that fact, so am I.

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    1. Kathy GDecember 30, 2015 at 4:32 PM

      Yikes! Be careful and make sure you have some type of 'smart' device with you in case you have to find a detour.

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    2. TeriDecember 30, 2015 at 11:58 PM

      Uff-da! It took us a bit over 2 hours to make it from Hwy 21 & 270 down to Merimac Bottoms Rd. They were just closing northbound 55 as we came over the bridge (which had water). Definitely a blog post when I get home.

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    3. Kathy GDecember 31, 2015 at 8:06 AM

      I'm looking forward to reading about your adventure.

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  3. ChristineDecember 30, 2015 at 5:30 PM

    Stay safe Kathy, scary news.

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    1. Kathy GDecember 31, 2015 at 8:07 AM

      It IS scary. Fortunately, I think our family will get through it with just annoyance (and any real issues)

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  4. AnonymousDecember 30, 2015 at 6:25 PM

    Been thinking about you as I hear the news of all the flooding in Missouri. Wondered if you inundated with the water. Hope you can stay in and stay dry.

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    1. Kathy GDecember 31, 2015 at 8:08 AM

      The rain is over, so now the thing is to avoid any place where the water is rising for the next few days.

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    2. AnonymousDecember 31, 2015 at 10:56 AM

      I gather you are on high ground? That's like us here. Our home sits on a rise and not on the river's flood plain.

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    3. Kathy GDecember 31, 2015 at 12:16 PM

      Our neighborhood is about four miles from the flooded intersection that's in the photo. However, there are some low-lying spots that are about half that distance that have been evacuated.

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  5. MocadeauxJanuary 3, 2016 at 4:11 PM

    I hope things have settled down by now. The stories from your neck of the woods were scary. Water is more powerful and dangerous than we ever imagine.

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    1. Kathy GJanuary 3, 2016 at 4:21 PM

      I believe all of the major roads are back open.

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