Route 66 enthusiast and radio announcer Joe Sonderman in St. Louis reports that parts of Route 66 through central Missouri are closed because of flooding after torrential rains, and waters aren’t going to recede for at least another day or so.
It seems the best resource to check on current conditions is this interactive map by the Missouri Department of Transportation, which is updated frequently.
The map says:
- Business Loop 44, aka Route 66, in Franklin County in Pacific will be closed until at least Monday because of roadway damage from flooding.
- Several spots of the outer road on Interstate 44 in west St. Louis County are closed because of flooding. Those closures are estimated to last 48 hours.
Also, the Gateway Guide traffic map says that highway crews are putting up sandbags to protect Interstate 44 at Highway 141 in west St. Louis County. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a story, too, along with some startling photos on the home page.
So, if you’re traveling in that region, be ready to take alternate routes and prepare for long delays.