In the news:  This New Year has already started on a dismal note for some residents in the Southwest Missouri, St. Louis and Southern Illinois Regions. Record rainfall has caused sections of major highways and thoroughfares, such as I-44 and I-55 in St. Louis County, to shut down.

The heavy rain, rising floodwater levels and impact, starting back in December, have been compared to the devastation experienced alongside the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries during the Great Flood of 1993.

Although the State of Emergency was recently lifted in St. Louis County and some floodwater throughout these regions has receded, there will be more desolation to follow from the aftermath (e.g., widespread grief, clean up, insurance disputes, more flooding/cresting in other towns and states, etc.).

For more on the floods and safety tips, follow the links below:

• Devastation from the flooding in Southeast Missouri – 1/1/2016 – YouTube (5:30)

• Latest flood news: Interstates reopen; State of emergency lifted in St. Louis County – St. Louis Post-Dispatch

• Towns south of St. Louis brace for Mississippi River floods – CBS News

• Interstate highways reopen in flood-ravaged St. Louis area – Yahoo!News

• Towns in south Illinois evacuate as water tops levee – CNN

• Water recedes in St. Louis, but threatens new targets in South – USA Today

For flood basic safety tips and more, click here (ready.gov/floods).