Dozens rescued in southeastern Missouri as 1-in-1,000-year rainfall triggers catastrophic flooding

Key Points:

• Dozens of people have been rescued from historic flooding in southeastern Missouri, with emergency crews conducting around 90 water rescues involving residents, campers, and motorists; no serious injuries have been reported so far.
• A building collapse at Bearcat Getaway Campground in Reynolds County has prompted search and rescue operations for 10 to 17 people who may have entered floodwaters, while five initially missing campers have been found safe.
• The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for parts of Reynolds and Iron counties as the Black River reached a record height of 28.7 feet, leading to multiple swift-water rescues and highway closures.
• Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency, activating the State Emergency Operations Plan to coordinate resources and support local response efforts amid ongoing flooding and potential additional rain.
• More than 12 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours in some areas, marking a 1-in-1000-year flood event exacerbated by climate change, with continued flood threats expected through the weekend across multiple regions.