Total damage from April floods estimated to cost at least $20 million statewide

Three bridges in southeast Missouri are still closed and considered a total loss as of Wednesday, because of storm damage from the heavy rain and floods in April, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Two roads are still closed due to high water.

MoDOT engineers continue to assess flood damage around the state.

As of Wednesday, MoDOT crews are in the process of reviewing flood damage in 404 locations: Six in the northeast district, 48 in central district, 24 in St. Louis district, 119 in southwest district and 207 in the southeast district.

Sally Oxenhandler, communications manager for MoDOT, said the expected total cost of damage is about $20 million. She said that number is still a rough estimate.

The number included the costs to fight the floods, finished repairs and the estimate for future repairs.

Oxenhandler said the final costs won’t be available until the three bridges are bid for repair, which is still a few months away.

Designs for the bridge replacements are expected to begin during the summer.

Jason Shafer, a maintenance engineer for MoDOT’s central district, said the expected total cost of damage for his area is about $5 million.

Shafer said central district repairs should be finished by next spring at the latest.