FENTON, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
Beautiful weather makes it easy to forget the record rainfall and rising rivers we had in October. That's unless you live or work near the Meramec River. It appears the river will hit major flood stage overnight Monday into Tuesday, cresting between 27 and 28 feet. The Meramec River washed through Fenton forcing residents to evacuate and business to close.
Dan Diehl of Fenton Feed Mill says, "Obviously, not too many people can get here unless they're coming by boat. Cause it's a little more difficult to come around the back street."
Soccer Park in Fenton was out of the game but it could have been a lot worse according to Diehl.
"But we're lucky here on the lower part of the river. That we got a four or five day notice that its coming up where as they flood over night."
As with most flood situations, people are caught off guard. A yellow truck is under water in a ditch near I-44 and 141. Fortunately, MoDOT crews worked all night to keep the water off the very busy 141.
"We started pumping water from the lowest lying area into the higher areas and into storm water drains so we can keep the water off the road. We consider 141 & 44 to be that important of an interchange to put forth that effort to make sure we do everything we can to keep it open," says Tom Blain wit MoDOT.
The October rainfall set a record and now the river reflects that.
Obviously, the folks who live and work near the river have sort of an understanding with meandering Meramec.
"But it's only for a few days and that's what you expect here on the river," says Diehl.
Dan Diehl of Fenton Feed Mill says, "Obviously, not too many people can get here unless they're coming by boat. Cause it's a little more difficult to come around the back street."
Soccer Park in Fenton was out of the game but it could have been a lot worse according to Diehl.
"But we're lucky here on the lower part of the river. That we got a four or five day notice that its coming up where as they flood over night."
As with most flood situations, people are caught off guard. A yellow truck is under water in a ditch near I-44 and 141. Fortunately, MoDOT crews worked all night to keep the water off the very busy 141.
"We started pumping water from the lowest lying area into the higher areas and into storm water drains so we can keep the water off the road. We consider 141 & 44 to be that important of an interchange to put forth that effort to make sure we do everything we can to keep it open," says Tom Blain wit MoDOT.
The October rainfall set a record and now the river reflects that.
Obviously, the folks who live and work near the river have sort of an understanding with meandering Meramec.
"But it's only for a few days and that's what you expect here on the river," says Diehl.
