City of St. Louis Deploying Mobile Command Centers in Hard-Hit Neighborhoods, Emergency Resources for Residents Impacted by July Flooding

Following assessments of damage caused by July storms in the City of St. Louis, the City Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, and additional city departments have begun deploying emergency resources to residents who experienced storm damage and reports of flooding. St. Louisans should visit the city’s website at stlouis-mo.gov/flood for up-to-date.

“Throughout the week, I’ve toured impacted neighborhoods and heard from residents about how devastating record rainfall and floods have been,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “We are mobilizing every resource at our disposal - at every level of government - to ensure City residents who have been affected can get the support they need. I appreciate the support offered by community groups, regional leaders like St. Clair County Chairman, and everyone who is coming together to help our city recover.”

The City has set up Mobile Command Centers in hard-hit neighborhoods like Ellendale and Kingsway West to connect impacted residents with resources such as food, water, hygiene and cleaning supplies, PPE and other critical items. The City has also worked with the Urban League of Greater St. Louis to stand up an emergency resource center at the organization’s headquarters and assisted displaced residents with hotel locations.

“The Department of Public Safety is engaging each of our divisions to ensure people can stay safe in their neighborhoods,” said Public Safety Director Dr. Dan Isom. “We encourage City residents in need to visit the mobile command centers closest to them to get the help they need.”

The City of St. Louis Department of Health has assembled and distributed 50 care kits, and encourages residents to take precautions to protect themselves during clean-ups by utilizing rubber gloves, rubber boots, and other protective gear while cleaning up their homes. Keep children and pets out of the flooded area until cleanup is complete: thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with hot water and laundry or dish detergent and then sanitizing solutions; and be aware of utilities like electricity or gas. continued

“The Department of Health is working with our fellow city agencies to help bring necessary resources to impacted residents to protect their health and safety,” says Director of Health Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis.

The City’s Streets Department is providing dumpsters in hardest-hit neighborhoods for clean-up efforts. Residents in these areas should leave their larger, bulk items for disposal at the curb or in street dumpsters provided by the Department.

Volunteers from the City’s Neighborhood Stabilization Teams will continue identifying where additional resources are needed. Citizens wishing to report flood damage inside their homes should call the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) at 314-768-6260. For non-MSD issues or information on available emergency resources, citizens should call the Citizens Service Bureau at 314-622-4800 or 211. Residents should take pictures of property damage and save all receipts.

Historic, cultural or arts organizations that have sustained damage to buildings, artifacts, collections, etc. can call for FREE advice on handling flood-damaged items (stabilizing, salvaging, preserving, etc.) by reaching out to the National Heritage Responders Hotline 24/7 at 202-661-8068. The National Heritage Responders are a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals who have experience handling a wide range of materials from paper to textiles to paintings and more. Again, the hotline is free and answered 24/7. It is administered by the Foundation of Advancement in Conservation.

Individuals who have flood-damaged items such as family photos, documents, artifacts, etc. and need guidance on salvaging family heirlooms can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org. Numerous online resources and links also can be found at FEMA's Save Your Family Treasures site and by going to the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative at Culturalrescue.si.edu.