Flooding Shuts Down Highways in the St. Louis Area

The St. Louis area is increasingly difficult to drive through, as floodwaters have poured over two interstate highways and hundreds of other spots on smaller roads.

The Missouri Department of Transportation closed a 24-mile stretch of Interstate 44 southwest of St. Louis on Wednesday, and shut down three miles of Interstate 55 south of St. Louis about 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

With I-55 closed, the only north-south alternative is Highway 231, known locally as Telegraph Road. But traffic there is backing up with cars and trucks that would normally be on I-55.

MoDOT spokeswoman Marie Elliott says motorists who can stay home should do so.