Flash Flooding

St. Louis broke a record for the most rainfall in a 24-hour period in November on Monday.

The micro ecosystems are popular around the world but haven’t gained footing in the St. Louis region. Some people hope they could lessen the impacts of floods.

As snowfall in the upper Midwest melts with rising temperatures, it will bleed into parched waterways in Iowa and beyond, helping restore stream flows decimated by drought. But, could also carry the risk of flooding downstream.

Many cities are already investing in nature-based solutions, such as removing pavement, building marshes and making room for rivers to flow. Now, St. Louis is looking to learn from Missouri’s neighbors in Dubuque, Iowa, on what the city can do with the River Des Peres.

The money goes to buy out 11 properties in University City, Webster Groves and Ladue.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttiegieg said $196 million will go toward replacing 48 MetroLink light rail cars. The funding is one of the biggest grants MetroLink has received.

The St. Louis region experienced historic flooding one year ago, with effects that continue today. We discuss what’s been learned and done since then to prevent a repeat of such damage.

Changing rainfall amounts, soil conditions and river levels all complicate the situation, which kicked off with a stretch of dryness this spring.

St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Clair County will receive more than $112 million in federal funding to help families recover from flooding and build resiliency for low- and moderate-income populations. Federal officials say the funding will help address the damage from recent floods and help the region prepare for future disasters.

“I can’t do anything,” a resident said. “My hands are tied.”