Rescues, road closures follow 1-in-1,000-year rainfall in southeastern Missouri
A sudden, historic downpour in southeastern Missouri prompted multiple water rescues Friday and left parts of Reynolds and Iron counties under a flash flood emergency, officials said. Emergency crews pulled people from rooftops and cabins as localized rainfall totals topped a foot in some locations.
Authorities initially reported five people unaccounted for after flooding along the Black River in Reynolds County. Late Friday afternoon, Reynolds County Sheriff Caleb McCoy told CNN the missing campers “
have been located and rescued,” bringing immediate concerns about lives at risk to an end, according to the updated report.
Where rescues occurred and conditions on the ground
Officials described multiple separate rescue operations across the region:
- About 10 people were rescued from the rooftop of the Black River Lodge, county Emergency Coordinator Steve Chitwood told CNN.
- In Iron County, two people were taken from a cabin by boat, Chief Deputy Jordan Otwell said.
- Also in Iron County, five people were pulled from the rooftop of a mobile home; additional trips were planned to reach anyone still stranded there, Otwell said.
There were no immediate reports of injuries in Iron County. Still, the storm shut down several routes: Otwell said roughly six area highways were closed because of flooding, and the Black River Bridge in Centerville was reported closed with water flowing over roadways in other spots.
Rainfall totals and warnings
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency — its highest flood warning level — covering more than 4,000 people in parts of Reynolds and Iron counties. The torrential rain that produced the emergency had tapered off by Friday afternoon, but officials warned that flood conditions would persist and additional rain was possible late Friday and over the weekend.
| Location | Reported rainfall since Thursday evening |
|---|---|
| Near Redmondville | 12.25 inches |
That measured amount — more than a foot in under 24 hours — classifies the event as highly localized and historic. The heavy, concentrated rainfall led to rapid rises in rivers and streams, creating conditions that forced people to seek shelter on rooftops and required boat rescues.
What residents should know
- Do not attempt to drive through flooded roadways; just a few inches of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
- Heed closures and evacuation orders from local authorities; bridges and low-water crossings may be unsafe despite appearing passable.
- Monitor local emergency channels for updates about road reopenings and sheltering resources.
State and local emergency teams remained active Friday as crews tallied damage and checked isolated communities. The rescues and closures underscore how quickly flash flooding can develop in Missouri’s rural river valleys when storms stall and dump several inches of rain in a concentrated area.
Officials cautioned that conditions could change and advised residents in affected counties to remain alert to further updates from the National Weather Service and local emergency management agencies.
