Flooding

Another round of torrential rain and flash flooding was coming Saturday for parts of the South and Midwest already heavily waterlogged by days of severe storms that also spawned some deadly tornadoes. St. Louis, Jefferson, Franklin, Phelps and other Missouri counties are under a flood warning.

This aid is separate from the $89.5 million St. Clair County received in January for disaster recovery from flooding in July 2024.

Whether the money would actually make it to St. Clair County came into question when President Donald Trump ordered a freeze on federal aid. However, the White House rescinded the order Wednesday.

The July 16 storm dropped 8 inches of rain. Although it's not clear how county officials will use the money, the federal dollars could be used to develop affordable housing, help small businesses, repair roads.

In addition to millions in repairs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice and the state will require the city to pay a $30,000 penalty.

In a court filing, Cahokia Heights residents want a federal judge to allow their claims for damages and claims related to flooding issues to proceed. The city's work with federal agencies is limited to the sewer system and will not address flooding concerns.

A novel type of insurance pool, parametric insurance, is designed to rapidly fund emergency response after natural disasters such as flooding.

The flooding in Pacific followed historic rainfall earlier this week that caused flash flooding across St. Louis County, killing two people.

Community members are bracing for the Meramec River to crest Friday.

Some residents in East St. Louis on Wednesday called on the city to do more as floodwaters lingered in their neighborhood following heavy rains in the Metro East on Tuesday.