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(KMOV) - How safe are the flood walls, that protect you from the mighty Mississippi ?

KMOV

Lawmakers in St. Louis City, and on Capitol Hill, say it is in need of repair.

St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay fears there will be catastrophic results, if we have another historic flood.  The flood protection system is 6. 7 miles of flood wall, and 4 miles of levee built in the late 1950's and early 1960's. It includes Wharf Street or Lenore K. Sullivan Drive, on the riverfront. It protects the city from the rough flood waters, of the Mississippi River.

Engineers fear that if we see flooding worse than what we saw back in 1993, this current flood wall will not protect you.

“There could be some catastrophic problems here. You cannot wait until the wall falls completely before you get the repairs done,” Slay says.  

A government study recommends spending $15.6 million, for replacing 20 gates, and building 70 stainless steel wells.

Congressman Russ Carnahan is working on Capitol Hill, and with the Army Corp of Engineers, to get that money.

“Estimates are $1 billion of property, from damage if the wall failed,” Carnahan says.  

Lawmakers say the city has $5.3 million, which voters approved as matching funds. This means that funds could be lost if not spent by the end of the year.