Some East St. Louis residents still couldn’t access their homes a day after severe flash floods
Severe flooding from heavy rainfall on Tuesday morning forced some residents in East St. Louis to evacuate their homes. Some blocks in one area were still flooded a day later, with multiple cars still submerged as of Wednesday afternoon.
“By the water being high like that, that’s riding up people’s floor, riding up their walls and stuff like that,” said Ittie Thompson, who lives on Terrace Drive in East St. Louis. “That’s tearing people’s homes up.”
Thompson said Wednesday the water was still up to the front door of his home, and he couldn’t access it because his street is still flooded. He said his car is underwater.
Since Tuesday, he’s been staying at his girlfriend’s house. He’s just one of several residents who live on Mary Avenue and Terrace Drive in East St. Louis who were frustrated that they hadn’t received any help. Some were still awaiting help on Thursday.
Parts of St. Louis and southwestern Illinois received over 12 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service St. Louis.
On Tuesday, East St. Louis Mayor Robert Eastern declared a flood disaster for the city. Carlos Mayfield, the city manager, said on Wednesday that the number of damaged homes was still being compiled.
Ittie Thompson said he’s lived in his home for about two years. He said the flooding in the neighborhood is usually severe when there’s heavy rainfall, but the water usually recedes quicker than it was on Wednesday. He said the water seems to be getting higher.
“It looks like they’re not doing anything because it’s steady rising,” Thompson said. “Homes are steady flooding. People need help.”
Verna McClendon also lives on Terrace Drive. She’s stayed in her home for 40 years, and said the area witnesses severe flooding incidents every year but was typically manageable until Tuesday’s rainfall.
“I don’t have any clothes,” McClendon said. “I don’t have any shoes because I got up early in the morning, and the lights were cut off. (I) didn’t get anything. My car is ruined and still in the water…. Everything has to be replaced. Nobody has the money to do that. You can’t afford flood insurance in this area.”
Around the corner on Mary Avenue, over half of the street was submerged in water on Wednesday. Only the top of cars and mailboxes are visible. Jeffery Hill, who resides there, said he’s seen people walk through the water.
“I’ve been watching people walk down there,” Hill said. “It’s sad that they have to go get some of their things. It’s just a sad sight. Most people don’t probably have renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance or anything like that. It’s sad foreal.”
Fortunately, the part of the street where Hill’s home was located wasn’t underwater on Wednesday, but his basement was flooded and his family had to evacuate to a hotel on Tuesday.
“I was able to get some of my things off the floor,” Hill said. “The power went out, so I’m thinking if the power went out, my basement would’ve never flooded, but the (sump) pump wasn’t working, and that’s when the water started coming in. I was like, ‘Man look, I’m going to get all of my stuff and move it to the second floor.’ Yesterday, me and my family stayed in a hotel, but it wasn’t even this high. It’s sad.”
Ittie Thompson doesn’t know what his next steps are. But he knows his neighborhood is in dire need of assistance. East St. Louis officials could not be immediately reached for comment about the residents’ concerns.
“If I can sell (my home), I’ll sell, but I can do anything about it,” Thompson said. “Who wants a house in a flooding zone? Nobody.”
This story was originally published July 27, 2022 at 5:13 PM.
