Floodwaters recede in Missouri, head south

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- The St. Louis area is recovering from severe flooding last week as other parts of the country brace themselves as floodwaters head downstream.

Volunteers helped victims with the organization and distribution of food, blankets and cleaning supplies in the hardest hits areas, where people are returning to what remains of their waterlogged homes.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said officials estimated 7,100 structures were impacted in Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis counties, resulting in up to a half-million tons of debris. Much of the worst damage was to areas that had never previously flooded, inundated by floodwaters from the Meramec, Bourbeuse and Mississippi rivers.

"Waters are receding but cleanup continues in many Missouri communities," Gov. Jay Nixon said on Twitter on Monday, adding that the state is coordinating with federal and local officials to speed recovery.

Meanwhile communities along the Mississippi River in Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi are preparing for floodwaters to reach them by the end of the week.