Levee “At Risk of Failure,” Area Evacuated: St. Francois County

ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY, Mo. – An area of ​​Iron Mountain Lake, Missouri, is being evacuated following flooding Monday afternoon.

The Bismarck Fire Protection District ordered an evacuation of residents on East and West Lake Shore Drives.

Shelters have been opened at the Bismarck Senior Center for those affected, with a command post at Iron Mountain Lake City Hall.

St. Francois County Emergency Management says the levee near Iron Mountain Lake is on the verge of failure. Large amounts of rain flooded several streets with around 600 houses on Monday.

“Most older people don’t want to leave their homes,” said Councilwoman Sue Brune of Iron Mountain Lake. “They don’t feel comfortable going to a place like a shelter.”

Nick Jones, the county's EMA director, said many families are ignoring the warnings and staying put. He worries about their safety and the safety of first responders who will be called to the rescue if it rains again.

“It would be a lot easier if they (residents near the lake) just sought shelter in town if they could,” Jones said.

They released a map of areas to evacuate if necessary.

Much of the surrounding areas of St. Louis, including St. Francois County, will continue to experience heavy rain and severe storms through Tuesday.

Voting equipment from a polling place that was in the path of possible flooding was moved to Iron Mountain Lake City Hall, where voters can cast their ballots Tuesday.

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