The Meramec River’s steadily rising waters forced the closure of roads and highways around the St Louis area, including this intersection of Interstate 44 and US 141 in Valley Park. The Meramec flows about a half mile from the intersection. The floods have shut down water treatment plants, forced evacuations, and are approaching record levels.

Interstate 44 is closed for a 24-mile stretch, and Missouri Department of Transportation officials told local media that a shutdown of another major highway, Interstate 55, appeared likely. Credit: YouTube/Jamie Jessop