Once-in-a-Millennium Rainfall Triggers Catastrophic Flooding Across Missouri

Severe flooding has prompted a state of emergency in parts of Missouri after forecasters said a “once-in-a-millennium” rain event pushed rivers to record levels, toppling structures, trapping residents and prompting urgent rescues from rapidly moving water.

The National Weather Service placed thousands of people under a flash flood emergency as rescue teams worked through dangerous conditions. The Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office said crews had already carried out more than 90 water rescues.

Powerful, slow-moving thunderstorms dropped between 6 and 12 inches of rain near the Black River in southeastern Missouri, swamping roads, campgrounds and nearby communities.

Authorities warned Friday evening that the threat had not passed, with rivers still rising and more flooding expected in the hours ahead. The Black River reached a record high of 28.7 feet during the day Friday.

One of the most harrowing incidents unfolded at the Bearcat Getaway campground near the Black River, where about 20 people had to be rescued after a building collapsed beneath them and sent campers into the raging floodwaters.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Eddie Young said the group had climbed onto the structure before it gave way, leaving emergency responders to pull them from the dangerous current.

The hazardous conditions also put rescuers themselves at risk. In one operation, a Missouri State Highway Patrol boat became caught on a submerged line.

The two troopers on board were forced to leave the boat and enter the floodwaters, but both managed to reach safety and were not injured.

The floods came after several inches of rain fell overnight on Thursday and into the morning across a long swath of central and eastern Missouri. 

The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings as thunderstorms piled on the area one after another, explained Matt Beitscher, a lead meteorologist with the NWS office in St. Louis.

‘It’s very, very popular place for recreation,’ said Beitscher of the affected counties.

‘So there are campgrounds there. There are float trip locations there. A lot of vulnerable populations that would be susceptible to flash flooding.’ 

Dozens were evacuated from multiple campgrounds along the Black River in Lesterville. Some people were forced to climb trees to escape rising floodwaters.

One photo saw a family’s camper van lying on its side as the strength of the waters tossed it aside. 

Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency as the crisis escalated, activating one of Missouri’s urban search-and-rescue teams while National Guard helicopters were dispatched to reach residents cut off by floodwaters.

‘With additional heavy rain expected through the weekend, the threat is not over. If you’re camping, floating, or spending time near rivers and streams, move to higher ground and stay alert of weather conditions,’ Governor Kehoe stressed. 

‘Missourians should continue to monitor local forecasts and follow the guidance of local authorities.’

A family reunification center has also been set up.

Several major roads became impassable, and authorities established a family reunification center as rescue operations continued.

Joe Holt took video of flooding in Lesterville. Footage from the air saw several major roads made impassable due to flooding and damage.

Houses were also flooded in Annapolis, Missouri as rising waters from the creek washed over roads and bridges. 

Meteorologists described the deluge as a ‘once-in-a-millennium’ rainfall event, warning that swollen rivers would continue rising even after the rain eased, raising fears that the worst flooding may still be ahead.

At nearby Twin Rivers Landing campground, the owners described a desperate overnight rescue operation after floodwaters tore through the property with little warning.

In a Facebook post, campground owners Chris and Dave said they received an emergency warning call at 2:41am alerting them that water levels were rising rapidly. 

Chris immediately went from camper to camper and cabin to cabin, pounding on doors and using a megaphone to wake sleeping families before leading a convoy of campers, trucks and cars out of the campground.

Dave remained behind as floodwaters swallowed the roads, using a backhoe to rescue guests who could no longer escape. 

The campground owner told how he ferried people to the second floor of the general store while others became stranded on the roof of the lodge, on top of a bus and in waist-deep water near a garage as the flooding worsened.

According to the post, Chris then worked from the emergency command center alongside rescue officials, using detailed maps of the campground to direct first responders to trapped guests. The final rescue was completed at around 11:30am.

Photos showed buildings partially submerged, floodwaters swallowing vehicles and flagpoles, and stunned families surveying the devastation from higher ground, the campground said the destruction could be repaired.

‘Campers, vehicles, buses, buildings, and equipment can all be repaired or replaced. Lives cannot,’ the post read. ‘Our hearts are full of gratitude that every guest was safely evacuated.’ 

The owners added that while the damage was extensive, they were ‘blessed beyond words’ that everyone escaped safely.

Parts of southeastern Missouri have already picked up at least 12.25 inches of rain since Thursday.

The Missouri Department of Transportation Southeast District said Highway 21 in Reynolds County sustained major damage because of the flooding and would be closed until further notice.

There is still a risk of flash flooding early into next week as the weather front continues to move slowly south and east, reports Fox Weather.