West Alton, Mo. residents have been ordered to evacuate after a levee breach was discovered near Highway 67 and Lincoln Shields Road.

Warning sirens were activated and about 300 people were urged to leave their homes.

 

Fire Chief Richard Pender says water started to cover Route 67 Monday after a temporary flood barricade gave way. They closed the road, and started to create another barrier, but were unsuccessful.

Pender said early Tuesday that most of the about 500 residents in the St. Charles County town chose to stay after the voluntary evacuation order was issued Monday evening.

Pender says area where the levee broke does not give the river a direct path to the town, so residents are waiting to see if conditions worsen.