Flooding in Missouri Prompts State of Emergency
As of Friday evening, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a woman in her 20s is still missing from Davisville in nearby Crawford County — which also experienced flash floods.
The National Weather Service said between 6 and 11 inches of rain fell Thursday night into Friday morning in the Lesterville and Annapolis areas, causing flooding along the Black River near Johnson's Shut-Ins and Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.
Multiple agencies responded to the aftermath of the intense storms, including Missouri Task Force 1, which has deployed 50 members with specialized equipment and rescue boats.
"Activating the State Emergency Operations Plan allows our agencies to move quickly, coordinate resources, and support local response efforts," Kehoe said in a news release. "I'm grateful for every first responder and local team members working around the clock to help save lives."
The Black River is forecast to crest above 28 feet in Annapolis late Friday night. That projected level is several feet above major flood stage and would break the all-time record.
The storms hit an area popular with campers from across the region, including Camp Taum Sauk in Lesterville. A spokesperson for the Missouri State Highway Patrol said all children at the summer camp are safe.
The Reynolds County Sheriff's Office said Friday afternoon that five campers who had previously been reported missing from the Bearcat Getaway Campground have all been located. However, emergency crews were searching for an estimated 10 to 17 people who may have entered the Black River after a building at the campground reportedly collapsed into the floodwaters.
Later Friday, a spokesperson for the Missouri State Highway Patrol said he received a report that those campers are safe.
During rescue operations, two boats carrying emergency responders capsized because of the fast-moving floodwaters. All of the responders were rescued downstream by fellow emergency crews, and no serious injuries were reported, according to the sheriff's office.
Authorities also warned that several roads throughout Reynolds County remain closed because of flooding, including a road collapsed just east of the Highway N and Highway 21 junction. Route 49 in Crawford County is also closed.
Officials are asking people to avoid flooded roads and stay out of the Lesterville area unless absolutely necessary.
A family reunification center has been established at Arcadia Valley Elementary School in Ironton.
Lesterville R-IV School District has opened up its school building for anyone who needs shelter.
The American Red Cross has also opened a shelter at the First Assembly of God Church in Centerville.
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