Flash floods in St. Louis area lead to road and polling place closures

MAPLEWOOD, Mo. -- Heavy rain is causing flash flooding in the area. Many roads are shut down, and some schools are canceling classes because of high water in the streets. Local polling places have also closed due to the flooding.

Severe flooding has shut down roads in St. Louis County Tuesday morning after seven inches of rain fell in the past 24 hours, forcing Deer Creek to overflow its banks and submerge major streets in Maplewood, Brentwood, and Webster Groves.

Flooding shut down Interstate 55 near Bayless Avenue in St. Louis. The road is submerged, and first responders are working to rescue stranded motorists in the area. Traffic on Interstate 44 is also backed up because of flooding near Valley Park.

The flooding closed Hanley Road near the Maplewood Commons shopping center, with waters reaching the walls of the former Hugo's restaurant. The popular Deer Creek Park, known locally as "Rocket Ship Park," is underwater as the creek continues to surge.

A polling place located at Brookdale Farms in Eureka is also closed Tuesday due to flooding in the area. Voters assigned to Brookdale Farms are being re-directed to the administration building in Hillsboro at 729 Maple St. Officials are unsure how long the Brookdale Farms polling location will be closed.

While the heaviest rainfall is moving out of the region, meteorologists warn that more wet weather is expected. Local authorities advise residents to avoid the affected areas and seek alternate routes.