80 Homes Still Uninhabitable After June 17 Flash Floods

Heavy rains Sunday night did not result in any flash flooding in University City, City Manager Lehman Walker told the City Council Monday night.

Walker said he was concerned after the June 17 flash flooding along the River Des Peres that Sunday's rains would cause more damage, but no calls had come into the city.

Flash flooding hit hard in University City Monday, June 17. Water rose quickly along the River Des Peres, forcing evacuations and the opening of Centennial Commons as an emergency shelter.

Walker said city staff inspected 118 flood damaged homes. Between 75-80 are still inhabitable, he reported.

See our previous story: University City Sets Up Disaster Hotline
The City of University City will waive permit fees for residents needed to apply for building permits for flood-related damage. The city also waived fees after flooding in 2008.

"We are working with those impacted by the flooding," Walker said. "We will be waiving all permit fees as they rebuild."

Councilwoman Paulette Carr also suggested holding a workshop to help residents fill out claims for the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD).

Resident Bobette Patton questioned whether enough was being done to prevent future flooding along the River Des Peres in University City, which has had several flooding incidents in recent years.

"There was a foot and a half of water in my yard," she said. "Are we going to wait until another person dies?"