Catastrophic floods caused by heavy rainfall led to hundreds of rescues across southeastern Missouri on Friday. This included the helicopter evacuation of over 200 children and staff from a summer camp as rivers reached record levels.
The flooding, driven by over a foot of rain in less than 24 hours, swamped communities in Reynolds, Iron and Crawford counties, washed out roads, damaged buildings, and stranded residents, campers, and motorists. State and local authorities carried out dozens of water rescues, while search-and-rescue operations continued for one missing woman.
Campers airlifted to safety
Emergency responders rescued over 200 campers and counselors at Camp Taum Sauk near Lesterville after floodwaters washed away access roads, trapping them at the site.
Missouri Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters transported the campers to a nearby elementary school, where their families joined them. Camp officials later thanked emergency responders and the National Guard for safely evacuating everyone.
Campground collapse prompts search
Emergency crews also responded to a building collapse at Bearcat Getaway Campground in Reynolds County.
Authorities initially launched a search for up to 17 people believed to have entered floodwaters after the collapse. By Friday evening, officials said they had rescued or accounted for everyone.
Earlier in the day, officials safely located five campers who had been missing at the campground. Rescuers pulled about 10 people from the roof of the Black River Lodge after rising water trapped them.
Dozens of water rescues
The Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office said emergency crews had carried out about 90 water rescues involving residents, campers and stranded motorists by Friday afternoon. Officials said no serious injuries had been reported.
In neighboring Iron County, first responders rescued two individuals from a flooded cabin using a boat and saved five others from the roof of a mobile home. Several highways remained closed due to floodwaters.
Search continues for missing woman
In Crawford County, search crews continued looking for a woman who was swept away after rapidly rising floodwaters breached a wall of her home.
Authorities suspended the search Friday night because of darkness and planned to resume operations Saturday morning. At least three other people in the county were rescued during operations involving ground crews, boats, and drones.
Rivers reach record levels
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency—the agency’s highest flood warning—for parts of Reynolds and Iron counties early Friday.
The Black River rose to a record 28.7 feet, inundating nearby communities and prompting swift-water rescues throughout the region.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency Friday, saying dangerous flooding had led to multiple swift-water rescues across the state. The declaration allows state agencies to coordinate personnel, equipment, and emergency resources to support local response efforts.
What caused the catastrophic floods?
Meteorologists said more than 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain fell in parts of southeastern Missouri between Thursday evening and Friday, with an area near Redmondville receiving about 12.25 inches.
The extraordinary rainfall overwhelmed rivers and streams, producing catastrophic flash flooding. Weather experts described the rainfall as exceptionally rare for the region.
Although the heaviest rain had ended by Friday afternoon, dangerous flooding continued across southeastern Missouri.
Forecasters warned that additional rainfall later on Friday and throughout the weekend could worsen flooding in parts of the Mid-Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys, extending into the central Appalachian region.
