Flooding from the Meramec River already has caused major problems for residents in the north part of Arnold, and the river is expected to continue rising through Thursday, cresting at about 47 feet, which is higher than earlier projections, Arnold Police Chief Bob Shockey said in a press conference this afternoon (Dec. 30).
Homes on the north side of Starling Airport Road have been without gas and electricity since 9 p.m. Tuesday (Dec. 29), when the utility companies shut off them off because of the flooding, Arnold city officials reported.
At 9 a.m. today, the utilities were turned off in the Pleasant Valley subdivision across Jeffco Boulevard from Arnold City Hall.
At least 100 homes are affected, Arnold Police Chief Bob Shockey said.
Utilities will not be turned back on until after the floodwaters recede and the homes and utilities are inspected, he said.
Homes on Convair Drive in the Starling Estates already are inundated with floodwater from the Meramec, and it is threatening other homes in the subdivision.
As a result, residents throughout the subdivision were working this afternoon sandbagging around their homes or packing vehicles and moving trucks with their possessions in an effort to save them.
Shockey said he expects water to get into all the homes in the Starling Estates subdivision.
He said about 100 Arnold homes would be affected by flooding if the river reaches 46 feet and another 50 or more homes could be affected if it reaches 47 feet.
Arnold Mayor Ron Counts said sewers already are backing up in homes in Starling Estates.
In addition, some homeowners on Meramec Valley and in the Bayshore subdivision off Telegraph Road are fighting floodwater, city officials said.
Counts said he stopped by the Starling Estates subdivision to talk to the residents there and was saddened to see the crisis they’re facing.
“This is the largest natural disaster we’ve had in the city,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can possibly do. When you see people having these issues, it’s quite disturbing. I walked into one home, and it was devastating to see. We’re putting all the resources we have into this, but we need to remember the people and keep them in our prayers.”
Shockey said the city has a plan in place and employees are doing their best to help residents affected by the flooding.
“We’ve got two to three times the number of officers we normally have on, and they’re working hard,” he said.
Police officers and city employees have gone door to door in the areas affected by the floods to talk to residents, Counts said.
The residents without utilities are being advised to evacuate, but the city can’t force them to leave, Counts and Shockey said.
The city has set up an Emergency Operations Center to handle calls about the flooding. Those who have a flooding emergency in Arnold may contact the center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 636-282-6609. If no one’s at the center, people should call Arnold Police at 636-296-2222.
The city of Arnold also has set up two command centers, one at 501 Jeffco Blvd. and another in Bayshore subdivision, which is off Telegraph Road.
In addition, the city can provide bags and sand to residents who need them.
The Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter at the First Baptist Church of Arnold, 2012 Missouri State Road, and as of 3 p.m. today, the Humane Society of Missouri has offered a mobile kennel at the church to help displaced animals.
The flooding also has caused many road closures, and more are expected.
Floodwater is expected to soon rise above Hwy. 61-67 just north of the Meramec River bridge, forcing closure of that road, Shockey said.
He said there are rumors that I-55 at Meramec Bottom Road just north of Arnold is closed because of flooding but they are not true.
Floodwater from the Meramec River approached I-55 at about 1 p.m. today, but Shockey said the Missouri Department of Transportation will take measures to protect the interstate from flooding and being closed.
He said it’s important to keep the interstate open because it’s already difficult to travel in the area because of other road closures, including the one at highways 141 and 21.
The problem will be worse if Hwy. 61-67 is closed north of Arnold, which is another major thoroughfare in the area.
Traffic was snarled on Hwy. 141 and I- 55 as motorists attempted to bypass other flooded roadways.