The New Year's Eve flood of 2015: Scenes we won't forget
The rains the last week of December 2015 came hard and fast, dropping close to 10 inches of water in some parts of the region during the final days of the year. By the time the downpour stopped, St. Louis had broken its record for annual rainfall.
The Mississippi and Missouri rivers swelled, threatening the levee protecting the Portage des Sioux area and inundating parts of St. Charles County. Hundreds of St. Louis residents came out to help sandbag the River Des Peres.
But hardest hit were Union, Pacific, Eureka, Arnold and other areas along the Meramec River basin. As the Meramec crested higher than ever along the St. Louis County border, more than 2,000 homes and businesses in the region were flooded, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.
Here's a look back at the scenes from that flood from the final week of 2015.Â
Flooding on Manchester Rd.
Brentwood Fire Department firefighters ferry people from a flooded area near the intersection of Ruth Ave. and Manchester Rd. on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015, in Brentwood. Flooding closed down part of Manchester Rd. between Brentwood Blvd and Hanley Rd. Two vehicles were abandoned in the middle of the flooded roadway. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com
Dire hours in Kimmswick
Prisoners from the Department of Corrections take a break from sandbagging in Kimmswick to eat free pie from the Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Dire hours in Kimmswick
The Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery servers Melissa Thompson (left) and Heather Calac (center) walk along Front Street in Kimmswick with volunteer Raif Amabile to hand out pie to workers with the Department of Corrections who were helping sandbag on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.co
Flooding in River Des Peres
A north-facing view of River City Casino Boulevard in St. Louis, partly flooded from the River Des Peres on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015. Photo by Huy Mach, hmach@post-dispatch.com
Flooding downtown Union
A flooded McDonald's near the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and Missouri Route 47 on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015 in Union. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Sandbagging at River Des Peres
Hundreds of volunteers gather at River Des Peres Park on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015 to fill sandbags as part of city's Street and Parks Departments' effort to hold off parts of the River Des Peres in St. Louis. Photo by Huy Mach, hmach@post-dispatch.com
Flooding closes I-44
Valley Park sisters Shanique Hager (left) and Brieanna O'Neal watch the flooding of Interstate 44 in Fenton, wrapped in blankets from their room at the Drury Inn & Suites where they evacuated on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. Water flooded the backyard of their home Tuesday night and their mother encouraged them to leave while she went to pack up items at her workplace. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Residents, businesses face rising water
Thomas Coates keeps a warming fire going inside the scoop of a bulldozer as he watches over the flooded Springdale Bar and Grill at Highway 141 and Romaine Creek Road south of Fenton on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Flooding closes I-44
The view of a flooded Interstate 44 looking west between Bowles Avenue and Highway 141 on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Flooding in Pacific, Mo.
Artist Jan Trager, of Pacific, paints a flooded portion of South Fourth Street in Pacific on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. Trager says she's witnessed previous floods, but has never seen the water cross over to the right side of the train tracks. Photo by Huy Mach, hmach@post-dispatch.com
Flooding in Springdale Park near Fenton
Paul Dusablon (left) and Richard Kotva row from the Circle K at Springdale Park after helping the owner, moving electronics off the floor inside the convenience store, south of Fenton on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Flooding in Eureka, Mo.
Flood waters take over the businesses on South Central Avenue on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015 in Eureka. Photo by Huy Mach, hmach@post-dispatch.com
Flooding in Eureka
A fleet of partially submerged postal trucks and lawn mowers near the post office along Highway 109 in Eureka on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. Photo by Cristina M. Fletes, cfletes@post-dispatch.com
Meramec River floodwater flows over train trestle
Floodwaters from the Meramec River flow over the train trestle just east of Highway 141 and north of Interstate 44 near Valley Park on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River threatens Eureka High School
Meramec River floodwaters lap up to the edge of buildings on the Eureka High School campus on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Arnold football field flooded, equipment floats away
A football helmet rests on a post as the Jefferson County Youth Association football field at Arnold City Park is flooded by the Meramec River near Jeffco Boulevard on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Arnold residents evacuated as Meramec River crests
"Happy New Year!," yells Keith Roeder as he leaves his trailer in the Starling Mobile Home Park with his clothing as the Meramec River continued to rise in Arnold on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. "I was here in 1993 and didn't ever get evacuated," said Roeder who was told to leave last night. "I never ever though it would get this bad." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Arnold residents evacuated as Meramec River crests
Steven Schuck takes a tour of the Starling Mobile Home Park where he lives in Arnold on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. The park, which fronts the Meramec River, was evacuated late Wednesday. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River closes Interstate 55
Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri National Guard battle Meramec River floodwater covering Interstate 55 on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. The floodwater forced a complete shutdown in both directions of Interstate 55 at Meramec Bottom Road. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River closes Interstate 55
Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri National Guard battle Meramec River floodwater covering Interstate 55 on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. The floodwater forced a complete shutdown in both directions of Interstate 55 at Meramec Bottom Road. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River closes Interstate 55
Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri National Guard battle Meramec River floodwater covering Interstate 55 on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. The floodwater forced a complete shutdown in both directions of Interstate 55 at Meramec Bottom Road. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Flood waters finally crest along the Meramec River corridor in the Fenton and Valley Park area
U.S. Postal worker Chris Calgher (middle) hands out mail to Meramec Meadows residents Matt Towns and Laura Hays on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Calgher could not drive through the flood waters covering Smizer Mill Road, so he handed out mail to residents who were waiting on the road. The water level from the Meramec River is dropping and residents should be able to get in and out of the subdivision soon. Calgher jokingly said that he will deliver mail in rain, sleet and snow, but "nobody said anything about flooding." Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River closes Interstate 55
Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri National Guard battle Meramec River floodwater covering Interstate 55 on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. The floodwater forced a complete shutdown in both directions of Interstate 55 at Meramec Bottom Road. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River closes Interstate 55
Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri National Guard battle Meramec River floodwater covering Interstate 55 on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. The floodwater forced a complete shutdown in both directions of Interstate 55 at Meramec Bottom Road. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River closes Interstate 55
Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri National Guard battle Meramec River floodwater covering Interstate 55 on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. The floodwater forced a complete shutdown in both directions of Interstate 55 at Meramec Bottom Road. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River floods Fenton
Historic flooding on the Meramec River floods buildings in Fenton south of Gravois Road on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Major Mississippi River flooding in St. Louis
A flood-swollen Mississippi River flows past St. Louis and the Arch on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Major Mississippi River flooding in St. Louis
A flood swollen Mississippi River flows past St. Louis and the Arch on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Major Mississippi River flooding in St. Louis
A flood swollen Mississippi River flows past St. Louis and the Arch on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River, Gravois Road
Historic flooding on the Meramec River closes Gravois Road in Fenton on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River closes Interstate 55
Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri National Guard battle Meramec River floodwater covering Interstate 55 on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. The floodwater forced a complete shutdown in both directions of Interstate 55 at Meramec Bottom Road. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River, Instate 44 closed at Highway 141
Historic flooding on the Meramec River continues at the intersection of Highway 141 and Interstate 44 on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Floodwater forced a complete shutdown in both directions of Interstate 44 for a 24-mile stretch early Wednesday. The closure could last through Friday. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Flood waters finally crest along the Meramec River corridor in the Fenton and Valley Park area
Sightseers look at the flood waters from the Meramec River that cover I-44 east of the exit ramp at Highway 141 at sunset on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. The water level is starting to drop from the record high level. The view is looking west. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com
There's always time for music
Displaced Arnold resident John Gamache teaches volunteer Conner Zwierski, 9, to play the harmonica on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, at a Red Cross shelter at the First Baptist Church in Arnold. "The whole basement sounded like there was a waterfall inside," recalled Gamache, who arrived Wednesday after being evacuated from his home. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Arnold residents begin to clean-up as Meramec slowly recedes
Nick Prehm of Boeing Drive in Arnold, wades through his basement, looking to recover what was not ruined from Meramec River floodwater on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. "I turned 30, got divorced and my house flooded," said Prehm. "2015 has not been kind." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River closes Interstate 55
Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri National Guard battle Meramec River floodwater covering Interstate 55 on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. The floodwater forced a complete shutdown in both directions of Interstate 55 at Meramec Bottom Road. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding on the Meramec River flood Arnold
Trailers in the Starling Mobile Community in Arnold are swamped with floodwater from historic flooding on the Meramec River in Arnold on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Flood waters finally crest along the Meramec River corridor in the Fenton and Valley Park area
A view of the flood waters from the Meramec River that cover I-44 near Highway 141 on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. The water level is starting to drop from the record high level. This view is from the highway looking west toward Highway 141. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com
Interstate 44 reopens after Meramec flood water recedes
Traffic moves freely in both directions along Interstate 44 at Highway 141 after floodwaters from the Meramec River receded on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. Highway 141 was still covered by more than 10 feet of water at 10 A.M. but the water was rapidly falling. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Arnold residents begin to clean up as Meramec recedes
Shoes dry in front of a home on Cessna Drive in Arnold as residents begin to clean up after Meramec River flooding on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Arnold residents begin to clean-up as Meramec recedes
An inflatable lies on the top of Hart Vernon's flooded basement in Arnold on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Arnold residents begin to clean-up as Meramec recedes
With all utilities turned off, many Arnold residents in Starling Airport Road neighborhoods, including Hart Vernon, turned to warming fires and generator powered space heaters for warmth as they begin to cleanup after Meramec River flooding on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Waters recede in Pacific
A span of soil is missing from a section of train tracks that was affected by flood waters from the Meramec River on Friday, Jan. 1, 2015, in Pacific. Photo by Huy Mach, hmach@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis Soccer Park swamped by historic Meramec River flood
Floodwater from the Meramec River flows through the stands on the main field at the St. Louis Soccer Park on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. The water is on its way back down now, but at one point water completely covered the stands, reached part way up the scoreboard and up into the building housing locker rooms and concessions above the stands. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Waters recede in Pacific
A muddy 1977 Triumph Spitfire, parked at a car dealership called In Between Motors, was submurged in the flood waters on Friday, Jan. 1, 2015 in Pacific. Photo by Huy Mach, hmach@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis Soccer Park swamped by historic Meramec River flood
Floodwater from the Meramec River flows through the St. Louis Soccer Park on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. The water is on its way back down now, but at one point water completely covered the stands, reached part way up the scoreboard and up into the building housing locker rooms and concessions above the stands. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis Soccer Park swamped by historic Meramec River flood
Floodwater from the Meramec River flows through the St. Louis Soccer Park on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. The water is on its way back down now, but at one point water completely covered the stands, reached part way up the scoreboard and up into the building housing locker rooms and concessions above the stands. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis Soccer Park swamped by historic Meramec River flood
Floodwater from the Meramec River flows through the St. Louis Soccer Park on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. The water is on its way back down now, but at one point water completely covered the stands, reached part way up the scoreboard and up into the building housing locker rooms and concessions above the stands. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis Soccer Park swamped by historic Meramec River flood
Floodwater from the Meramec River flows through the St. Louis Soccer Park on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. The water is on its way back down now, but at one point water completely covered the stands, reached part way up the scoreboard and up into the building housing locker rooms and concessions above the stands. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Arnold residents begin to clean-up as Meramec recedes
Josh Sitzes recovers Mike Turnbough's deer mount from his basement as joins friends helping Turnbough salvage belongings from his flooded basement on Piper Drive in Arnold on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. "It looks like Cabela's is having a tornado sale down there," said Sitzes, who also retrieved floating duck decoys, fishing tackle boxes and loads of camouflage clothing. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Interstate 44 reopens after Meramec flood water recedes
Traffic signs at the intersection of Interstate 44 and Highway 141 poke through the floodwaters of the Meramec River at 5:05 p.m. as water recedes from a historic flood on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. Highway 141 was still covered by more than 10 feet of water at 10 a.m. but the water was rapidly falling. Interstate 44 reopened to traffic in both directions shortly before 10 a.m. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Arnold residents begin to clean up as Meramec recedes
Work gloves and cigarettes sit atop a mailbox on Electra Drive in Arnold as residents begin to clean up their homes after Meramec River flooding on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Meramec River floodwaters leave destruction in their wake
Railroad tracks, running under Interstate 44 in Eureka, near Route 66 State Park, were undermined by floodwaters from the Meramec River and are visible on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. Ties fell away and the tracks warped in several places where the ground beneath had washed away. Photo by Jennie Crabbe, Jcrabbe@post-dispatch.com
Meramec River floodwaters leave destruction in their wake
Boats with covers and trailers are fetched up in Meramec River floodwater on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, just north of Interstate 44 in Eureka, near Route 66 State Park. Photo by Jennie Crabbe, Jcrabbe@post-dispatch.com
Meramec River floodwaters leave destruction in their wake
Boats with covers and trailers are seen on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, where Meramec River floodwater had washed over railroad tracks just north of Interstate 44 in Eureka, near Route 66 State Park. The tracks were undermined in several places where the ground beneath had washed away. Photo by Jennie Crabbe, Jcrabbe@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding in Cape Girardeau
A view of historic Cape Girardeau and the flood swollen water of the Mississippi River pushing up against the city's flood wall on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. The Mississippi River set a new record high at Cape Girardeau of 48.86ft on the flood gauge at 4 a.m. on Saturday. The river has crested and is expected to keep falling. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding in Cape Girardeau
A view of historic Cape Girardeau and the flood swollen water of the Mississippi River pushing up against the city's flood wall on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. The Mississippi River set a new record high at Cape Girardeau of 48.86ft on the flood gauge at 4 a.m. on Saturday. The river has crested and is expected to keep falling. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Historic flooding in Cape Girardeau
Ty Burch (left), 6, his mom Casey Burch, brother Brody Burch, 4, and dad Keith Burch(not pictured hold Brody from behind) look out over the swollen Mississippi River floodwater rushing by Cape Girardeau on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. The Mississippi River set a new record high at Cape Girardeau of 48.86ft on the flood gauge at 4 a.m. on Saturday. The river has crested and is expected to keep falling. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Flooding in Eureka
Track marks reveal the path that flood waters dragged a recreational vehicle and a boat from a nearby storage facility to their resting place near Kircher Park on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016 in Eureka. Photo by Huy Mach, hmach@post-dispatch.com
Soccer Park flooding debris floated under I-44
Astroturf and a large pool are part of the debris left on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, under I-44 at the Meramec River in Fenton, from the nearby St. Louis Soccer Park. Astroturf is scattered for more than a quarter of a mile from the soccer fields, due to the powerful flood waters two weeks ago. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com
Soccer Park flooding debris floated under I-44
Directional signs are still down by St. Louis Soccer Park on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, next to I-44 at the Meramec River in Fenton, due to the fast-moving flood waters that covered the park and the surrounding area two weeks ago. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com
Soccer Park flooding debris floated under I-44
Field designation signs, astroturf and dumpsters are part of the debris left on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, under I-44 at the Meramec River in Fenton, from the nearby St. Louis Soccer Park. Astroturf is scattered for more than a quarter of a mile from the soccer fields, due to the fast-moving flood waters two weeks ago. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis Soccer Park swamped by historic Meramec River flood
Floodwater from the Meramec River flows through the stands on the main field at the St. Louis Soccer Park on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. The water is on it's way back down now, but at one point water completely covered the stands, reached part way up the scoreboard and up into the building housing locker rooms and concessions above the stands. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
NO headline in galleries
The latest on flooding, evacuations and closures
At least 1,000 homes and businesses were flooded in the county with Eureka taking the most damage
Lots of rivers, lots of floods, lots of damage. Why is it always a surprise?
Family, friends, volunteers help clean up, return 180 horses to Kraus Farms after water recedes.
The state transportation department is still tabulating the total cost but will receive federal help.
Facility will end up replacing three of its four artificial-turf fields.