UNIVERSITY CITY聽鈥 The region鈥檚 top flooding expert has resigned from University City鈥檚 stormwater commission, saying the city is taking too long to improve its聽warning system on the dangerously flood-prone River Des Peres.
Bob Criss, a Washington University expert on urban creeks and rivers, is photographed on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in University City. Criss identifies problem areas of the River Des Peres urban runoff system that he says are not fixable with pure engineering solutions. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
A University City police officer looks over the flooded 1200 block of Waldron Ave. on Thursday, July 28, 2022, after heavy rain created flash flooding that displaced cars and debris from the entire block. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Flash flooding from Coldwater Creek goes into the Hazelwood home of Jean and Rick Guinn on July 26, 2022; while backed-up sewage and River Des Peres water enters Mary Ann Gaston's basement in University City.
The new system will cost up to $4 million for year over the next five years, according to the county audit.
A University City police officer looks over the flooded 1200 block of Waldron Ave. on Thursday, July 28, 2022, after heavy rain created flash flooding that displaced cars and debris from the entire block. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Bob Criss, a Washington University expert on urban creeks and rivers, is photographed on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in University City. Criss identifies problem areas of the River Des Peres urban runoff system that he says are not fixable with pure engineering solutions. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
