Poll workers among three dead in Election Day flooding in Missouri

ST. LOUIS — At least three people died Tuesday after torrential rains caused flash flooding in central and eastern Missouri, affecting transportation and making it difficult for some voters to get to their polling place.

According to the St. Louis County Police Department, a preliminary investigation revealed that one of the victims, who was an adult female, drove her car into floodwaters in the area of ​​Interstate 55 and Bayless Avenue in St. Louis on Tuesday morning flash floods occurred. Police said the cause of death is currently unknown but the investigation is ongoing.

The other two fatalities were poll workers in Wright County, Missouri, the Wright County Clerk’s office confirmed in a statement to FOX Weather. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the victims were a 70-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman who drowned while attempting to swim to shore after their vehicle was swept into floodwaters. Both are from the Manes, Missouri area and were found dead at 8:45 a.m. local time.

The relentless rain that broke November rainfall records turned streets into rivers, flooded homes and forced widespread closures.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office first reported just before 7 a.m. that Twin River Road near Highway W was impassable, making it difficult for voters to get to a polling place in Brookdale Farms in Eureka. Deputies have advised residents to visit the administration building in Hillsboro as an alternative voting location.

“Voters shouted at deputies during flash flood operations and suggested they were intentionally suppressing voting,” the sheriff’s office said. “Nothing could be further from the truth. We’re trying to keep everyone informed about road closures so you can come out and vote. Just ask the deputy for an alternative route if we don’t have it posted.”

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The St. Louis County Board of Elections said there was a power outage at the polling place at the Holy Name Community Center in Bellefontaine Neighbors following the storms. While voting continues using generator power, the board recommends voters detour to another polling location.

St. Louis International Airport has broken several rainfall records. By Tuesday morning, the airport had already received 3.25 inches of rain, surpassing the previous daily record of 1.62 inches set in 1956.

The unprecedented rainfall event also set a new record for the highest 24-hour rainfall in the month of November. With over 6.4 inches of rainfall since Monday, the airport broke the previous record of 3.56 inches set on November 18, 1921.

The nearly 7 inches of rainfall in 24 hours caused Deer Creek to overflow its banks and flood major roads in Maplewood, Brentwood and Webster Groves, FOX 2 in St. Louis reported.

The flooding forced the Brentwood School District to cancel classes Tuesday due to power outages and flooding.

First responders rescued stranded motorists, including those trapped on Interstate 55 near Bayless Avenue, which was closed due to flooding. FOX 2 reports. St. Louis County Police confirmed to FOX Weather that one person was found dead in a vehicle as the water began to recede. After the flooding subsided, five other vehicles were discovered, but the occupants were able to escape.

In St. Francois County, officials ordered voluntary evacuations for Iron Mountain Lake because of the possibility that a levy could fail near the town. In BismarckOn Monday, firefighters were involved in several water rescues.

Severe weather shakes parts of the central US on Monday

Flooding in St. Francois County, Missouri.

(Bismarck Fire Protection District)

Drone footage captured the force of the flash floods, showing rapid flooding of water around homes and businesses in Park Hills.

Drone video showed flash flooding around homes and buildings in Park Hills, Missouri, on Monday.

When the water recedes, residents will need to assess the damage and clear the debris.

Showers and storms will weaken from west to east Tuesday afternoon. Area residents can expect dry and mild conditions on Wednesday and Thursday, with high temperatures in the mid 50s to mid 60s.

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The weather system that has been holding out heavy rain and severe weather across the southern United States for the past few days is finally starting to move further east.

(FOX Weather)

The threat of heavy rain and severe weather moves further east toward the Mississippi Valley on Tuesday ahead of a cold front. As the system continues to move north across the Upper Midwest and then into the Great Lakes through Tuesday night, the threat of heavy rain across the Mississippi Valley will begin to decrease, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

The front is expected to become nearly stationary in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys through Wednesday, with only isolated showers and thunderstorms remaining in the area through Thursday morning.

While rainfall amounts will be fairly light on Tuesday, there could be minor flooding in low lying and urban areas affected by flooding in a short enough time. These strongest storms could also become severe, producing wind gusts of 50-60 mph and perhaps one or two brief tornadoes.