Days after intense rains, area rivers are pouring into homes and spilling onto major thoroughfares, impeding access to hospitals south of St. Louis.
SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton near Highway 141 and Interstate 44 is one of the hospitals located in an area with limited access to major highways.
Jamie Sherman, spokeswoman for the Creve Coeur-based health system, said despite major flooding there has been no influx of patients or need for emergency services.
"Everything seems to be pretty typical," she said.
The hospital has reported no flood damage.
Sherman said staffers readied the hospital for an emergency situation given the rising waters.
St. Anthony's Medical Center, located in south St. Louis County, also located near flooding and closed portions of Interstate 55 is dry and operating normally, according to Joe Poelker, media spokesman.
"Once you get past those major closures the route to us is fine," he told the Post-Dispatch Thursday afternoon.
Mercy Hospital Jefferson reports no damage and no influx of patients at its Jefferson County location.
First responders with Abbott EMS St. Louis, operating about 35 ambulances in the metropolitan area, said the floodwaters have not stopped them from getting to patients in need.
"All the calls that we have received we've been able to handle," said Jim McDonald, operations manager.
McDonald said his dispatchers are taking extra measures to make sure they're sending crews on a clear, unobstructed path.
"Our dispatchers have to be aware of where we're sending our crews and to be aware of any obstacles from the flood that might be present so our crews our knowledgeable and can get around it," he said.
He said his group is relying on the Missouri Department of Transportation and local municipalities and sheriff offices for road closure updates.
"It's amazing because it seems like every hour there is another road that is closed," he said of his organization's ability to handle each call.
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