A catastrophic flooding event has struck southeastern Missouri following an unprecedented rainfall, with rivers reaching historic levels and prompting a state of emergency. The situation has led to numerous rescues, missing persons, and widespread damage, with authorities warning of ongoing threats as more rain is expected.
Catastrophic flooding has triggered a state of emergency across parts of Missouri after what forecasters described as a 'once-in-a-millennium' rainfall sent rivers surging to historic levels, collapsing buildings, stranding families and forcing dramatic rescues from the fast-moving floodwaters.
Thousands have been placed under a flash flood emergency by the National Weather Service with emergency crews having already carried out more than 90 water rescues, according to the Reynolds County sheriff's office. Relentless thunderstorms dumped between six and 12 inches of rain near the Black River in southeastern Missouri, inundating roads, campgrounds and communities. Officials warned the danger was far from over on Friday evening, with rivers continuing to rise and additional flooding expected in the coming hours.
The river rose to an all-time high of 28.7 feet during the day on Friday. At least one young woman is still missing after her home was washed away in the flood waters. The home of Faith Gregory, 23, was destroyed after water caused wall to collapse at 3:30am on Friday morning at Davisville in southeastern Crawford County. Her boyfriend, Logan Ouseley survived.
In the frantic steps to escape the deluge, Gregory, Ousley and their four dogs were able to get into a green and tan kayak. Ousley was able to make it out of the water, but Gregory and the dogs were swept away. Her sister, Kayla Dawn, posted a desperate plea for help on Facebook.
'We don't know a lot right now but what we do know is we need everyone looking for faith. Her and her home were washed away in the storm this early morning,' Dawn wrote. Campers at Franklin Floats Campgrounds in Lesterville were forced to scramble onto the roof of parked SUVs in order to avoid being swept away by the floods on Friday.
Some were able to wait it out in inflatable boats the campers normally use on the boating lake. Homes in Lesterville were underwater after historic flooding on Friday. More than 90 water rescues were carried out in Reynolds County, Missouri, as flash flooding overwhelmed the area. Joe Holt took this video from the air.
'The flood was bad, storm was intense. Please everyone that lives down in Cherryville/Davisville, check the creeks, yell her name. Please help me find my sister!
' Among the most dramatic rescues, around 20 people had to be pulled to safety after a building at the Bearcat Getaway campground near the Black River collapsed beneath them, sending campers into the raging waters. Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Eddie Young said the group had climbed onto the structure before it gave way, forcing emergency responders to rescue them from the flood. The extreme weather also endangered first responders.
During one rescue mission, a Missouri State Highway Patrol boat became entangled in a submerged line. The two troopers aboard were forced to abandon the vessel and enter the floodwaters before both safely made it ashore without injury. 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.
' Faith Gregory, 23, is the only person known to still be missing from the area. The floods caused the collapse of a wall at Gregory's home. Her boyfriend, Logan Ousley, left, survived. Little was left of 23-year-old Faith Gregory's home in southeastern Crawford County after a wall collapsed.
Gregory is still missing. The Missouri State Highway Patrol were forced to deploy on inflatables. Scary scenes unfolded when one of the Missouri Highway Patrol's rescue boats became entangled in a submerged line. 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.
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