Hundreds of people, including stranded campers, were rescued across Missouri on Friday following a historic deluge that dropped up to 12 inches of rain in some areas. Officials described the rainfall event as a "1-in-1000-year" occurrence, which overwhelmed rivers and streams, particularly in southeast Missouri.
Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency and activated a large-scale search and rescue effort in response to the unprecedented flooding. The Black River and nearby waterways became raging torrents, endangering residents and vacationers. More than 200 water rescues were conducted throughout the region. People were found stranded in vehicles, on rooftops, and in trees.
At Camp Taum Stauk in Reynolds County, approximately 200 stranded campers, about half of whom were children, were airlifted to safety by National Guard helicopters. In the same county, an estimated 20 people were swept away when a building at the Bearcat Gateway Campground collapsed under the weight of individuals seeking refuge on its roof. Three additional individuals were rescued from trees along the Black River.
While a woman in Crawford County remains missing after her home was swept from its foundation, no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported thus far. Governor Kehoe praised the bravery of first responders and urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and prepared for potential additional rainfall.
Flood watches were issued by the National Weather Service for over 21 million people across eight states, including Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Forecasters warned of continued significant flood impacts if further heavy rain occurred in the already saturated southeastern Missouri region.