Missouri Inundated As Rivers Continue To Fill

Flood waters in Missouri are touching historic levels as rivers to continue to fill before cresting. Emergency has been declared in the state and the National Guard has been activated to aid in rescue efforts.

According to The New York Times, at least 13 deaths in Missouri have been attributed to flooding. Several parts of St. Louis have been flooded by the Mississippi River which has touched a historic high, exceeding the levels breached in the floods of 1993. Most of the fatalities reportedly took place after cars were swept when attempting to cross flooded roads.

The Meramec River is 4 feet over its historic level, reports CNN, even as the river threatens to flood southern St. Louis County. At Valley Park, it is expected to crest Thursday morning but has already forced evacuations.

"It's very clear that Missouri is in the midst of a very historic and dangerous flooding event. The amount of rain we've received, in some places in excess of a foot, has caused river levels to not only rise rapidly, but to go to places they've never been before," Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said on Tuesday, according to NBC News. He urged people against attempting to overrun on flooding creeks on roads.

Severe storm over the mid-south US has caused extreme weather events from Texas to Illinois, leaving at least 50 dead. Dallas reported 11 deaths due to tornadoes that struck over the last week. Five people have died to flooding in Illinois.