Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has declared a state of emergency following what meteorologists described as a 'once-in-a-millennium' rainfall event that has caused catastrophic flooding across the state. Relentless thunderstorms dumped between six and 12 inches of rain in some areas, leading to rivers surging to historic and record-breaking levels, inundating roads, campgrounds, and communities.
Thousands of residents have been placed under a flash flood emergency by the National Weather Service. Emergency crews have conducted over 90 water rescues in Reynolds County alone, as floodwaters swept through southeastern Missouri. The Black River in this region surged to an all-time high of 28.7 feet on Friday.
Officials warn the danger is ongoing, with rivers continuing to rise and additional flooding anticipated. One young woman, 23-year-old Faith Gregory, remains missing after her home in Davisville was swept away by floodwaters early Friday morning. She and her boyfriend, Logan Ouseley, attempted to escape in a kayak; Ouseley made it to safety, but Gregory and their pets were carried away.
In another dramatic incident, approximately 20 people were rescued after a building at the Bearcat Getaway campground near the Black River collapsed, sending campers into the raging waters. Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers also faced peril when their rescue boat became entangled in a submerged line during a mission, forcing them to abandon the vessel and enter the floodwaters, from which they safely disembarked.
Campers at Franklin Floats Campgrounds in Lesterville were forced to seek refuge on the roofs of vehicles to escape the rising waters. Similar scenes unfolded at Twin Rivers Landing campground, where owners described a frantic overnight evacuation as floodwaters rapidly inundated the property. Owners Chris and Dave alerted sleeping families using a megaphone and led a convoy to safety, while Dave remained behind to rescue stranded guests using a backhoe, ferrying some to the second floor of the general store.
Governor Kehoe activated one of Missouri's urban search-and-rescue teams and dispatched National Guard helicopters to assist residents cut off by the floods. He urged residents to move to higher ground, stay alert to weather conditions, and heed guidance from local authorities. Kehoe emphasized the extreme danger of driving through floodwaters, noting that as little as six inches of fast-moving water can sweep a person away, and one foot can move most cars. He also highlighted the increased danger of nighttime severe weather due to reduced visibility.
Several major roads, including Highway 21 in Reynolds County, have become impassable and sustained significant damage. A family reunification center has been established to assist those affected by the disaster. Parts of southeastern Missouri have received over 12 inches of rain since Thursday, and the risk of flash flooding may persist into the early part of the week as the weather system slowly moves south and east. The Missouri Department of Transportation has closed Highway 21 indefinitely due to major flood damage.