PACIFIC, Mo. -- Flood victims in the St. Louis area will get some relief starting Monday as curbside pickup of debris gets underway as part of the state of Missouri's "Operation Recovery."

Crews began picking up debris in Pacific, Eureka, Jefferson County in and around Byrnes Mill and the St. Peters area of St. Charles County.

Heavy rain Dec. 26 to 28 spurred massive flooding along several rivers in the Midwest. The Meramec River in suburban St. Louis reached record levels.

Gov. Jay Nixon says damage assessments for the purpose of seeking a federal disaster declaration for individual assistance are continuing.