Water rescues ongoing in southeast Missouri amid heavy rainfall

Rescue efforts continued Friday amid roiling floodwaters in parts of southeast Missouri, where nearly a foot of rain fell in some areas earlier in the day and more was expected.

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“This is an unfolding event and we’re going to stay here and serve the citizens of Missouri until we get the job done,” said Ernie Rhodes, leader of the federal search-and-rescue cooperative known as Missouri Task Force 1.

In Reynolds County, a group of about 20 people were on a structure at Bearcat Getaway campground in Lesterville, along the Black River, when it collapsed and put many in the floodwaters, Sgt. Eddie Young of Missouri Highway Patrol said at a news conference Friday.

He said all have been accounted for and are OK.

Earlier, five missing campers at the location, about 125 miles south of St. Louis, were accounted for, the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. During the day’s rescue operations, two boats carrying first responders capsized, but all on board were rescued and safe, the office said.

“We are thankful that no serious injuries have been reported,” it said.

First responders have conducted more than 90 rescues in the area, the sheriff’s office said.

Water rescues were also taking place in southern Crawford County, the highway patrol said.

Authorities said rescue efforts are ongoing.

“We’re not done,” said Young. “And the resources are not finished coming into this area and the affected areas.”

Elsewhere in the area, a road collapsed and others were shut down due to flooding, the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office said. It encouraged people to stay away from flooded areas.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe issued a flood-related state of emergency Friday. “If you’re camping, floating, or spending time near rivers and streams, move to higher ground and stay aware of weather conditions,” he said in a statement.

Flooding was expected to continue overnight, with the Missouri Department of Public Safety issuing flash flood emergency notices for northwest and southern Iron County and northeast Reynolds County.

As much as 6 inches of rain was possible Friday night, officials said, after the National Weather Service reported 6 to 11 inches fell during the day.

Young said it was too soon to assess flood damage along the Black River.

“The river expanded so far beyond its banks that it’s going to be quite a bit of property damage,” he said.

A cold front moving eastward is pushing cooler air into summer heat, creating thunderstorms and flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

In Reynolds County, the threat of more flash flooding “remains the top concern through Saturday,” the weather service said.

Areas that flooded Friday are the most susceptible to additional flooding, it said. The storms were expected to move east on Sunday.