Missouri declares state of emergency over severe storms and flooding

Governor Mike Kehoe urges people to follow guidelines with more heavy rain expected through the weekend

Missouri has declared a state of emergency in response to severe storms and flash flooding affecting the state’s central, south-central, and south-eastern regions.

In a news release , Governor Mike Kehoe said that under the order, the Missouri state emergency operations plan has been activated, allowing state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to expedite emergency assistance.

“Over the past 24 hours, intense storms have created dangerous flash flooding across several regions of Missouri, resulting in multiple swift-water rescues,” Kehoe said. “Activating the plan allows our agencies to move quickly, coordinate resources, and support local response efforts. I’m grateful for every first responder and local team member working around the clock to help save lives.”

Kehoe warned that the threat was “not over” and said that “additional heavy rain [is] expected through the weekend”.

“If you’re camping, floating, or spending time near rivers and streams, move to higher ground and stay alert of weather conditions,” he said. “Missourians should continue to monitor local forecasts and follow the guidance of local authorities.”

According to the governor’s office, some areas have received between 6 to 12 inches of rain.

Kehoe said the Missouri state highway patrol, state emergency management agency, division of fire safety, Missouri state parks, and Missouri department of conservation are responding to affected areas, and are working alongside local emergency responders “to assist with the flash flooding that has affected homes, roads, and campgrounds”.

The state’s taskforce has also been activated, he said, and “is deployed with 50 highly trained members, specialized equipment, and rescue boats”.

On Friday, the US National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Flash Flood Emergency for parts of Iron and Reynolds counties , and warned that additional rounds of thunderstorms with heavy rains are expected to continue throughout Friday evening, with an extended flood watch in place over the weekend.

As of Friday afternoon, flash flood warnings, which are issued when dangerous flash flooding is happening or will happen soon, were also in effect for parts of Iron, Reynolds, Andrew, Madison, Washington, Buchanan, Crawford, Clinton, DeKalb, and Holt counties.

The NWS said on Friday that “the flash flood risk is increasing across south-eastern Missouri into the Tennessee Valley for this evening into the overnight hours as rounds of heavy rainfall fall over saturated soils”.

The agency warned that “numerous flash floods are likely” urging residents in the affected areas to stay alert, and avoid driving or walking through flooded roads.

The NWS office in St Louis said that thunderstorms produced between 6 and 12 inches of rain from Thursday night into early Friday morning, resulting in “extensive and catastrophic flash flooding across eastern Missouri”.

“Additional rainfall is expected in the same area through tonight, and a flood watch remains in effect,” the forecasters said.

Meanwhile, the NWS in Kansas City warned that “damaging winds and heavy rainfall are the primary threats, but hail and a brief tornado cannot be ruled out”. “Storms will be efficient producers of torrential rainfall that could lead to flooding,” the office added.