JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Highway 141 is closed under Interstate 44 due to floodwaters over the road. 

Drivers can still get on and off of Interstate 44 in both directions, but they cannot travel on highway 141 underneath the interstate.

Fenton resident Christian Compton said while this is an inconvenience, it’s not as bad as it can sometimes get.

“This one, not terrible. You can still get around,” Compton said.

The floodgate at Marshall Road was closed today. The major flooding is impacting roads and parks just beyond the levee

At the last observation, the river was just shy of the major flooding mark, which begins at 27 feet. 

The river here is forecast to continue to climb another 2.5 feet from where it’s at now, cresting at 28.5 feet Tuesday evening.

Residents say the levee has done its job for the Valley Park community.

“It’s helped Valley Park immensely. Because actually Valley Park has grown because of the levee. They’re not having the flooding that they used to. I just think it’s bad for the other low-lying areas where the river goes up and it pushes out,” said Patricia Kendrick, former Valley Park resident.

Others share the same sentiment regarding the levee’s efficiency.

“These last couple of times they’ve been pretty on it. Pretty up there in terms of keeping everybody safe, the water where it should be,” Compton said.

Flooding has displaced Eureka resident Jacquey Summers and her family, who live along the Big River. She says the flooding has gotten worse over the years.

“We are now getting hit by the Meramec. So the Meramec is really hitting us hard,” Summers said. “We get it from the Big River and once the Meramec crests, probably tomorrow, our river will continue to stay high.”

In Eureka, floodwaters have already covered a section of highway W near Twin River Road and multiple fields at Eureka High School. 

The parking lot at the high school is not expected to be impacted, but Rockwood school officials are evaluating the situation.

The river at Eureka officially entered the major flood category a few hours ago and is forecast to come up almost another foot and a half.