St. Louis, Missouri – Water-covered roads could slow drivers along the Missouri-Illinois state line within the next several hours as repeated thunderstorms target the St. Louis metro and surrounding Mississippi River communities.
According to the National Weather Service, a marginal risk of flash flooding remains in place through Wednesday night for eastern Missouri and southwest Illinois. Storms may produce pockets of 1 inch of rain or more in a short time, especially along and east of the Mississippi River.
The corridor of concern includes St. Louis, St. Clair County, Madison County and nearby communities where urban drainage systems can quickly become overwhelmed. Interstates 55, 64 and 70 are vulnerable to ponding during heavier downpours, particularly near low-lying ramps and construction zones. Smaller creeks and tributaries feeding into the Mississippi River could also rise rapidly if storms repeatedly move over the same areas.
Drivers should allow extra time for the evening commute, avoid flooded underpasses and never attempt to cross barricaded roads. Even shallow water can stall vehicles.
Additional alerts could be issued if rainfall totals climb or storms train over the same Missouri-Illinois border counties through Wednesday night.
