ST. LOUIS (KMOX/AP) updated 7:30 p.m. — The National Weather Service has canceled the severe thunderstorm watch for the rest of the night.
Flash flooding remains a concern in most of the surrounding communities. Drivers are advised to avoid flooded roadways and find alternate routes.
6:30 p.m. update:
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for for Northern St. Louis City and Northeastern St. Louis County until 12:30 a.m. Thursday.
At 6:24 p.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to two inches of rain have already fallen. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.
Some locations that will experience flooding include: St. Louis, Florissant, Chesterfield, University City, Maryland Heights, Hazelwood, Ferguson, Creve Coeur, Overland, Clayton, Jennings, St. Ann, Bridgeton, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Town and Country, Berkeley, Richmond Heights, Ladue, Brentwood and Olivette. This includes I-70 in Missouri near exit 231. This also includes Scott Joplin Historic Site.
5:30 p.m. update:
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the St. Louis region until 11 p.m. Wednesday night.
Just after 5 p.m., Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Lemay, moving northeast at 10 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include: St. Louis, Shrewsberry, Webster Groves and the Illinois municipalities of Belleville, O'Fallon, East St. Louis, Collinsville, Fairview Heights, Cahokia, Swansea, Shiloh, Columbia, Maryville, Pontoon Beach, Centreville, Caseyville, Washington Park, Dupo, Millstadt and Madison. This includes Interstate 64 in Illinois between exits 9 and 14.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Illinois and Missouri until 11 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/yI56ySDmlk
— NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) May 29, 2019Storm is brewing Downtown #stlwx pic.twitter.com/DDzKK4vkA7
— KMOX St. Louis News (@kmoxnews) May 29, 2019Earlier KMOX reporting:
Another round of severe weather is on tap for the entire region today as rivers are on their way to historic flood levels.
RELATED: Sandbagging volunteers needed in Valmeyer, Prairie du Rocher
All of this is in addition to the flooding that is occurring on rivers around the area. The National Weather Service predicts crests along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers in the coming week could near historic levels.
RELATED: More concern for flooding along Mississippi River
Madison County emergency management officials say agencies are starting to preposition equipment near levees and the county has sent its sandbagging machine to Alton. Predictions are that the Mississippi River will crest there at 38.5 feet by next week. That would be the second-highest crest in history.
RELATED: Flooding closes more than 300 roads throughout Missouri
High water along the Mississippi River has forced bridges to close between Illinois and Missouri, causing extensive detours for some motorists.
The Illinois River at Valley City is predicted to crest at 26.9 feet next week. The record there is 27 feet.
Blake Roderick is executive director of the Pike-Scott Farm Bureau in western Illinois. He says he's never seen a year with three major crests on the Illinois River.
New river forecasts show record breaking crests along the Illinois River at Valley City. Near record crests are still anticipated at many points along the Mississippi River. #ilwx #mowx #midmowx pic.twitter.com/JDjBGIRjRa
— NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) May 29, 2019© 2019 KMOX (Entercom). All rights reserved.
