Drowning Death During Flash Flood Prompts Missouri Family to File Suit

The daughter of a suburban St. Louis woman killed by a flash flood in September is suing the Metropolitan Sewer District of St. Louis, which is part owner of the river that flooded.

Remnants of Hurricane Ike caused the storm that led to the sudden surge of water from the River Des Peres, killing 64-year-old Louise Bryant and 81-year-old Willie Johnson. They were in the backyard of a home in University City when they were washed away.

Bryant’s suit claims MSD failed to ensure the safety of River Des Peres.

A spokesman for the sewer district says the flood was out of MSD’s control.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, and asks MSD to make repairs to the river