Missouri Flooding Kills One, More Than 200 Rescued

Several other states also faced the potential for severe storms and flash flooding as slow-moving storms moved south.

The National Weather Service said severe weather affected a wide region stretching from the Ozark Mountains in southern Missouri eastward to much of the Ohio and Tennessee river valleys.

The service said the storms could bring damaging winds, heavy rains and scattered flooding to the multi-state area, and impacts could be seen in some places by Sunday. In East Tennessee, some roads were closed and power lines down due to flooding; From Kentucky to West Virginia, officials told people to be ready to seek higher ground.

The Missouri Emergency Management Agency warned that as storms move south and out of state, more storms could bring additional flash flooding, especially in areas that have already received 6 and 12 inches (15 and 30 centimeters) of rain.

Summer campers rescued as floodwaters rise Friday’s downpours washed out roads around Camp Taum Sauk, stranding children and staff at the site in the small southeastern community of Lesterville, according to Sgt. Eddie Young with the state highway patrol. He said the Army National Guard used Black Hawk helicopters to fly them to a nearby elementary school and reunite them with their families.

The camp thanked emergency crews in a post on Instagram, saying: “We appreciate your help in keeping our camp community safe.”

Meanwhile, Young, St. He said campers at the Bearcat Getaway campground near Black River, about 85 miles (140 kilometers) south of St. Louis, climbed a building to get away from raging waters, but then the building collapsed.

“It gave them away because of the weight and the fixed water underneath,” he said.

Three people stranded in trees on the Black River in Reynolds County were also rescued, Young said.

Missouri woman swept away by floodwaters The body of Faith Gregory, who went missing after her home was swept off its foundation in Crawford County, was found by volunteers late Saturday morning. His body was found about 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) downstream from his residence on Huzzah Creek, according to the county sheriff’s office.

“This is not the outcome any of us expected. Our thoughts and prayers are with Faith’s family, friends and everyone affected by this tragic loss,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

St. There were no more unnamed people left in the county, located about 70 miles (110 kilometers) southwest of St. Louis.

Meteorology warned of sudden flooding for the region due to the succession of heavy rains.

St. “This is a very, very popular place for recreation,” Matt Beitscher, chief meteorologist at the NWS office in St. Louis, said of the affected counties. “So there are campgrounds there. There are floating excursions there. There are a lot of vulnerable populations that could be exposed to flash flooding.”

Rescue efforts continue Gov. Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency Friday and activated a search and rescue team to assist. Hundreds of people had been rescued from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and stranded vehicles late Friday, he said.

The Black River continues to rise and is expected to crest more than 28 feet (8.5 meters) near Annapolis in southeast Missouri, which would be a record, Kehoe said, noting that many major roads have become impassable due to flooding and damage.

“As recovery efforts continue and additional rain is expected, I urge everyone in flood-prone and low-lying areas to remain weather alert, have multiple ways to receive warnings, and be prepared to take protective measures,” Kehoe said in a statement.

Two rescue boats in Reynolds County were capsized by flooding, but other emergency personnel rescued those who responded safely, the sheriff’s office said.