Dozens rescued as catastrophic flooding inundates Missouri campgrounds, state of emergency declared
Dozens of people were rescued across Missouri Friday after severe flooding caused dangerous conditions, trapping campers, residents and motorists as rapidly rising waters swept through parts of the state.
Emergency crews conducted more than 90 water rescues as flash floods overwhelmed areas of Reynolds and Iron counties. Several campers who had taken refuge on the roof of a building at Bearcat Getaway Campground were rescued after the structure collapsed, raising concerns that some people may have fallen into the water. Authorities later confirmed the campers were safe.
Five campers who had initially been reported missing from the campground were also located and accounted for. In nearby Iron County, more than 200 people at the Taum Sauk campsite, including about 168 teenagers and 60 adults, were evacuated by National Guard helicopters after heavy rainfall caused water levels to rise rapidly overnight.
Officials said there were no reported deaths or additional missing people in the Taum Sauk evacuation, though some residents remained stranded because floodwaters damaged roads and infrastructure. In Crawford County, one person remained missing, with search efforts expected to continue after being paused overnight.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency Friday as intense storms brought widespread flash flooding and dangerous conditions. Officials warned that more heavy rain was expected through the weekend and urged people near rivers, streams and recreational areas to move to higher ground.
The flooding was fueled by rainfall totals of 7 to 12 inches in some areas. The Black River near Lesterville rose several feet in a short period, sending water levels higher in nearby communities and creating hazardous conditions around popular outdoor destinations, including Johnson's Shut-Ins and Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.
Additional thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected to continue across parts of the central Plains, Ohio Valley and Northeast. More than 21 million people are under flood watches stretching from Pennsylvania to Tennessee and Missouri.
Authorities are warning residents not to drive through flooded roads, noting that even shallow water can be dangerous. Officials said six inches of moving water can knock a person down, while about a foot of water can carry away many vehicles. They urged anyone trapped by rising water to call for help and seek higher ground immediately.
Comments
Post a Comment