114 barges break free near St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis County bridge over the flooded Mississippi River is apparently undamaged after being struck by runaway barges.

The U.S. Coast Guard said 114 barges broke free Saturday night from where they were docked in south St. Louis County. Four struck the Jefferson Barracks Bridge.

The Missouri Department of Transportation closed the bridge for inspection at 2 a.m. Sunday, and reopened it six hours later after no apparent structural damage was found.

The Coast Guard said at least 10 of the barges sank. Most of the rest were corralled with the help of tow operators in the region.Two still were unaccounted for as of Sunday afternoon.

The Coast Guard closed a 15-mile stretch of the river.