Flood rescue in St Louis, Missouri, USA, July 2022.
© West County EMS and FireFlood rescue in St Louis, Missouri, USA, July 2022.
Record rainfall caused severe flash flooding in parts of Missouri on 26 July 2022. The Mayor of St Louis has declared a state of emergency, while emergency services have rescued dozens of people from trapped vehicles and flooded homes. St Louis Fire Department reported at least one fatality.

National Weather Service (NWS) St. Louis reported a record 7.02 inches (178 mm) of rain in 5 hours early on 26 July 2022, surpassing the old record of 6.85″ (174 mm) recorded in August 1915.

"Historic rainfall event causing widespread flash flooding this morning," NWS St Louis said, adding that "rainfall totals varied immensely across the area. While some locations were shattering records, others saw only a trace of rain."

The city of St Peters in St. Charles County recorded 12.86 inches (326.6 mm) in 24 hours to 26 July 2022. St Louis saw 7.79 inches (198 mm), and Hannibal and Auxvasse both recorded 6.10 inches (155 mm) during the same period.



maps
© National Weather Service St LouisRainfall totals in St Louis and surrounding areas of Missouri to 26 July 2022.
City of St. Louis Mayor, Tishaura O. Jones, declared a state of emergency following the historic rainfall and flash flooding across the city. The disaster declaration will enable the State of Missouri, if granted, to request federal support to bring relief to residents and small businesses.

"Communities throughout our region were devastated by last night's record rainfall and flooding," said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. "My heart goes out to all those families who were impacted, and I remain in consistent communication with our partners at the county, state, and federal governments. This declaration of emergency will help us get the resources we need to begin our city's recovery."


St. Louis City and County, with support from the Red Cross, set up a regional evacuation shelter at the Richmond Heights to house those displaced by the floods.

One person died after a vehicle was swept away by flood waters in the Forest Park area of St Louis. Emergency services reported dozens of people were rescued from vehicles trapped in flooding across affected areas. Sections of interstates 70, 64, 55 and 44 were all closed.

Flood rescue in St Louis, Missouri, USA, July 2022.
© West County EMS and FireFlood rescue in St Louis, Missouri, USA, July 2022.