At least 30 roadways closed by flooding, including major commuter route in Belleville

At least five major roads in the metro-east are temporarily closed Tuesday morning due to flash flooding, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation and St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency.

Here’s the list from IDOT’s agency’s emergency closure list and St. Clair County EMA map:

• I-64 mile post 41-61 eastbound and westbound closed due to flooding
• IL-15 at Belleville West Parkway is closed in both directions
• IL-127 south of I-64 to I-64 northbound and southbound closed due to flooding
• US-50 from IL-4 to Belleville St closed due to flooding. (Lebanon, IL)
• IL-15 eastbound and westbound from IL-127 to US-51 closed due to flooding
• IL-158/177 at Loop Creek (St. Clair County)
• IL-15 at Sparta street in St. Libory (St. Clair County)
• The exit ramp I-255 southbound to State Street is closed.
• IL-13 from Busch Boulevard to IL-163 and east of IL-157 in Centreville, IL
• Entry ramp from State Street to I-255 southbound closed due to flooding.
• I-64 eastbound to I-255 southbound closed due to flooding.
• IL-158 (Centreville Ave) between Belleville and Millstadt

• IL-158 from Roachtown Road to Redbarn

• East B Street between Williamsburg Dr. and Fox Glenn Lane in Belleville
• IL 161 (Carlyle Ave) east of Green Mount Road
• IL 161 at IL 4
• IL 161 at Old IL 158, south of Scott Air Force Base

• North Belt West from Old St. Louis Road to Brittany Lane

• Bunker Hill Road south of Carlyle Avenue in Belleville
• 11th Street in Belleville near Leland Drive in Belleville
• Hartman Lane at Park Plaza Drive in O’Fallon
• IL 177 (Mascoutah Ave) at Eidmann Road in Mascoutah
• West Harnett Street at Harper Road in Mascoutah
• North 6th Street at Fuesser Road in Mascoutah
• St. William, St. Lambert, St. John and St. Gregory drives in Cahokia Heights
• St. Lambert, West Adams, East Adams and Drexel drives in Cahokia Heights

• St. Rose and Louise lanes in Cahokia Heights

• Delores and Lynn streets in Cahokia Heights

• Louise Avenue in Cahokia Heights

• IL 161 between Thole Road and Billhartz Road (between Albers and New Baden)

The O’Fallon Police Department reported Tuesday afternoon West State Street is closed between S. Lawn Avenue and Countryside Lane.

In a Facebook post around 11:20 a.m., St. Clair County Emergency Management said, on behalf of Washington County officials, “most roadways in Washington County are flooded and impassable. They are discouraging anyone from attempting to travel through the county at this time.”

The St. Clair County EMA has a map of current road closures it posted on Facebook and is updating as information becomes available. It is not a fully comprehensive list, the Facebook post says. “Always use caution and NEVER drive through high waters,” it adds.

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office also reports roadways with standing water Tuesday due to rainfall.

“There are vehicles that are stranded at this time, and our Deputies and other Law Enforcement agencies are out trying to assist those drivers. I would like to encourage all residents to drive slowly, and if they must travel, use extreme caution,” the agency said in a Facebook post, crediting Sheriff Jarrod Peters.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department reported in a Facebook post Bluff Road is closed in several areas between Old Valmeyer and Prairie Du Rocher due to flooding.

“Please take an alternate route. Please use extreme caution while traveling. Be aware that water may be covering other low lying roads,” the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department Facebook post continued.

Flash flood warnings are in effect across southwestern Illinois and the St. Louis area after 1 to 3 inches of rain fell across the region Tuesday with up to 3 inches to come in some areas, according to the National Weather Service in St. Louis.

Turn around, don’t drown

Motorists should never drive through flooded roadways , National Weather Service guidelines say.

The NWS advises people to “turn around, don’t drown” and avoid flooded roadways. It can be difficult to tell how deep the water is, and 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult while a foot of water can carry away most cars, NWS reports.

If floodwaters surround your car, you should leave the vehicle and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and your vehicle can be quickly swept away, particularly in higher waters.