ST. LOUIS – The Eureka Fire Protection District encourages area residents to prepare for the possibility of river flooding in the coming days.

“The Big River and the Meramec River in our area could be up to major flood stage,’ said Dep. Chief William Stamberger, Eureka Fire Protection District.

He says the department’s biggest concern is the possibility of water-covered roads in flood-prone areas. 

“We’ll preach it 100 times,” said Stamberger. “Turn around, don’t drown.”

The department is also prepared for the possibility of flash flooding on Wednesday.

“We’re talking about draining ditches; we’re talking about detention basins; even areas along I-44 could potentially have stuff in the drains that start to pond up on the roadways,” Stamberger said.

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District reminds residents that one way to minimize flood damage to their property is to ensure debris does not block storm sewers.

MSD Project Clear spokesperson Bess McCoy said MSD crews routinely clean inlets and inspect the public sewer system but added residents can also help.

“Make sure your downspouts are pointed away from your home so that the water flows away from your home,” McCoy said. “If you have window wells, make sure those don’t have any trash or other debris that will clog those drains, or even lower stairways into your home that have drainways at the bottom; check those and make sure that those are clear of debris as well.”

In some cases, the rainfall is too great for the sewer system to absorb.  

McCoy said if customers experience a sewer backup, they can contact MSD.

“We’ll send out a crew to take a look and find out what happened,” McCoy said. “If there’s an issue with the public sewers, we’ll take care of it.”