The devastating floods of May 2019 caused widespread destruction and disruption in St. Louis, Missouri and the wider Mississippi River and its tributaries. This was among one of the most severe floods the city has seen in over a century, with the river cresting an astounding five feet above the 1993 record level and leaving some areas of the city visibly flooded.
Widespread flooding was observed in the low-lying areas of the city including near the Gateway Arch and Laumeier Sculpture Park. Many of the city’s iconic landmarks such as the Old Courthouse and Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis were threatened by the floodwaters, and the flooding caused the closure of several bridges, including the Eads Bridge.
The severity of the floods was exacerbated by large rainfalls in the weeks leading up to the flood, with some areas experiencing record levels of over 11 inches. Local officials reported that the rainfall doubled from previous years and led to a rapid response effort from municipalities, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Guard in an effort to protect St. Louis.
The Mississippi River floods left behind devastated communities and caused an estimated $1 billion in damages in the St. Louis area. Many homes and businesses were flooded, resulting in widespread destruction. In an effort to mitigate damage, over 500 businesses and 30,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas in the city, and nearly 8,700 people were rescued by helicopter.
The St. Louis area was in desperate need of immediate aid and recovery, with hundreds of roads, levees, and dams damaged by the floodwaters. Local officials were keen to recognize the extent of the destruction and declared a state of emergency in the region. This allowed federal aid to be made available to affected communities, and furthermore, allowed the state government to deploy assistance to those affected.
Moreover, after assessing the situation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began to build a sand levee system along the Mississippi that was designed to reduce the risk of flooding in the future. This levee system will cost an estimated $220 million and is intended to protect the city from future flooding events.
Local authorities stressed the importance of long-term flood mitigation and urged residents to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety – especially those living in low-lying neighborhoods. Furthermore, many St. Louis area businesses, designers, and organizations launched various response efforts in order to provide relief to many of the city’s devastated and flooded areas.
Economic and Social Effects
The floods had an enormous impact on St. Louis’ economy. It is estimated that the city has lost up to $1 billion due to damage caused by the flood. This includes the loss of jobs and businesses, which has been devastating to many people who are now left without a source of income.
Furthermore, the floods caused severe disruptions to people’s lives. Hundreds of people were displaced as a result of the flooding, leaving many with no access to basic necessities such as food and shelter. This has had a profound effect on the social fabric of St. Louis, as many people have had to uproot their lives in search of stable ground.
The flooding has also had a significant environmental impact, with pollutants from wastewater and other sources entering the river and infecting drinking water. Areas around the riverside have been particularly affected, leading to an increase in public health concerns.
The flooding has also had an impact on wildlife, with some species of fish and turtles being displaced from their natural habitats. In addition, some areas have seen a rise in the mosquito population, leading to an increase in mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus and Zika.
Community Response
The St. Louis community has come together in a show of support and solidarity during this difficult time. Several grassroots campaigns have been launched in order to provide relief and assistance to those affected by the floods. This includes donations of food, clothes and other necessities to those in need.
In addition, a number of fundraising efforts have been launched in order to raise money and other resources for those affected. Local organizations and businesses have also set up hotlines in order to provide advice and support to those in need.
Furthermore, many volunteers have come forward to help in the clean-up and restoration efforts. This includes the mobilization of local churches and other religious organizations who have organized and supported clean-up teams in different parts of the city.
All of these community efforts demonstrate a remarkable show of resilience and determination to overcome this natural disaster.
Impact on Infrastructure
The flooding has also had a profound impact on the city’s infrastructure. Hundreds of roads, bridges, and other public structures have been affected by the floods, leading to significant disruption in the city’s transportation and communication networks.
In addition, many of the city’s wastewater treatment plants have been damaged by the floods and will require extensive repairs. Furthermore, the flooding has caused extensive damage to numerous levees, dams, and other water infrastructure – leading to increased risk of future flooding events.
This has led to a huge increase in public spending in order to restore the city’s infrastructure. This includes the effort by the Army Corps of Engineers to build a sand levee system along the Mississippi in order to protect the city from future flooding events.
Finally, these effects have been compounded by an increase in the frequency and intensity of flooding events due to climate change. This has led to an increased urgency to develop sustainable flood mitigation strategies in order to protect the city from future flooding events.
Moving Forward
The St. Louis community is still dealing with the aftermath of the floods, and while progress has been made, there is still much to do. The restoration process is ongoing, and in order to ensure the city’s future stability, long-term flood mitigation strategies must be implemented.
Many of the affected communities have united to fight for their rights and have helped to raise awareness of the need for adequate flood mitigation measures. Furthermore, community and faith-based organizations are working together to provide relief to those affected by the floods.
The city of St. Louis has displayed remarkable resilience and courage in the face of the flooding crisis, and it is safe to say that the city will continue to fight for its future and the future of its citizens.
Environmental Factors
The increasing frequency of flooding events is linked to climate change, exacerbated by factors such as deforestation, urban development, and land-use changes. This has caused water levels to rise faster than usual, leading to greater flood risk in many vulnerable communities.
Moreover, rapid urbanization in St. Louis and the wider Midwest region has caused further disruption to the hydrological cycle, leading to increasingly severe flooding events. This has led to escalation of the situation and the need for large-scale flood mitigation strategies.
In addition, certain industries such as agriculture have been found to be particularly vulnerable to flooding events. The increase in water run-off from agricultural land has caused flooding prone areas to become more vulnerable to inundation.
Climate-smart agriculture is needed to address this issue in order to reduce water run-off and decrease the risk of flooding. This could include agricultural management practices such as cover crops and soil amendments, as well as agricultural infrastructure such as wetland restoration.
Flood Mitigation Techniques
Flood mitigation involves a variety of measures, including structural levees and dams, as well as non-structural methods such as community education and land-use planning. Furthermore, it is important to develop land management and soil conservation strategies in order to reduce water infiltration and decrease erosion.
In the case of St. Louis, the US Army Corps of Engineers has already begun work on a sand levee system along the Mississippi in order to reduce the risk of flooding in the future. Such a levee system will require a significant investment of resources, but it is thought to be essential in order to protect the city from future flooding events.
In addition, the city is developing early warning systems in order to increase the city’s preparedness for future floods. This will include flood forecasting, as well as improved communication systems to ensure that communities have adequate access to news and warnings in order to increase their chance of protecting themselves from flooding.
Finally, it is important to ensure that those affected by flooding are given the necessary resources to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. This could include access to financial assistance and grants, as well as support for mental health and other counselling services.
