Rising water levels in Mississippi river causes historic flooding
Missouri and other areas along the Mississippi river are facing major flooding events after intense rainfall and rising river levels. At least 20 people have been killed, and 19 levees along the river are still vulnerable.
- In this Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015 photo, Justin Bennett, left, with shovel, 27, an inmate at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center, joins several dozen volunteers in building sandbags to prevent the Big River from flooding a wage treatment plant that services High Ridge, House Springs and Fenton, in St. Louis. (Cristina M. Fletes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
- In this Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015 photo, Michael Wilson, left, 45, and Bernard Wilson, 27, inmates at the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center, join several dozen volunteers in building sandbags to prevent the Big River from flooding a wage treatment plant that services High Ridge, House Springs and Fenton, in St. Louis. (Cristina M. Fletes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
- In this Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015 photo, volunteers from different branches of the military, Missouri Eastern Correctional Center and locals build sandbags to prevent the Big River from flooding a wage treatment plant that services High Ridge, House Springs and Fenton, in St. Louis. (Cristina M. Fletes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
- Gravios Road is seen fully submerged on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The St. Louis area and surrounding region experiencing record flood crests of the Mississippi, Missouri and Meremac Rivers after days of record rainfall. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
- John Tosti, owner of Tosti’s Transmission wades in the water after inspecting his business as it takes on floodwater on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The St. Louis area and surrounding region experiencing record flood crests of the Mississippi, Missouri and Meremac Rivers after days of record rainfall. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
- Workers work to install sandbags outside a business on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The St. Louis area and surrounding region experiencing record flood crests of the Mississippi, Missouri and Meremac Rivers after days of record rainfall. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
- In this aerial photo, flood water covers Interstate 44, Wednesday, Dec 30, 2015, in Valley Park, Mo. A rare winter flood threatened nearly two dozen federal levees in Missouri and Illinois on Wednesday as rivers rose, prompting evacuations in several places. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
- A woman looks on as floodwaters rise on Gravois Road on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The St. Louis area and surrounding region experiencing record flood crests of the Mississippi, Missouri and Meremac Rivers after days of record rainfall. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
- Water Street is seen fully submerged as the Meremac River rises into the town on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The St. Louis area and surrounding region experiencing record flood crests of the Mississippi, Missouri and Meremac Rivers after days of record rainfall. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
- Workers work to install sandbags outside a business on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The St. Louis area and surrounding region experiencing record flood crests of the Mississippi, Missouri and Meremac Rivers after days of record rainfall. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
- A home is completely submerged on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The St. Louis area and surrounding region experiencing record flood crests of the Mississippi, Missouri and Meremac Rivers after days of record rainfall. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
- A man removes debris from a business on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The St. Louis area and surrounding region experiencing record flood crests of the Mississippi, Missouri and Meremac Rivers after days of record rainfall. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
- A road block is shown on Gravois Road as water continues to rise into town on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The St. Louis area and surrounding region experiencing record flood crests of the Mississippi, Missouri and Meremac Rivers after days of record rainfall. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
- Workers work to install sandbags outside a business on December 30, 2015 in Fenton, Missouri. The St. Louis area and surrounding region experiencing record flood crests of the Mississippi, Missouri and Meremac Rivers after days of record rainfall. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
- Water flows off the Interstate 44 exit ramp at Hwy 141 on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015 in Fenton, Mo. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS)