Missouri flooding: One woman dead after being swept away, more than 350 rescued amid severe weather | Today’s news
At least one woman died in Missouri on Saturday (local time) after torrential rain caused widespread flooding a day earlier, prompting several emergency rescues and evacuations, including at a summer camp where more than 200 children were.
The woman who lost her life has been identified as Faith Gregory, who went missing in Crawford County after her home was swept off its foundation, the AP news agency reported, citing the county sheriff’s office. Her body was later found by volunteers on Saturday morning, about 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) downstream from her residence in Huzzah Creek.
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“This is not the outcome any of us were hoping for,” the sheriff’s office said, adding, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Faith’s family, friends and all those affected by this tragic loss.”
Army rescues summer campers in Missouri
Heavy rains that battered the state Friday washed out roads near Camp Taum Sauk and trapped children and staff at the site in Lesterville, a small southeastern community. The Army National Guard used Black Hawk helicopters to fly them to a nearby elementary school and reunite them with their families, Sgt. Eddie Young of the State Highway Patrol said.
In an Instagram post, the camp thanked emergency crews and said, “We are beyond grateful for your help in keeping our camp community safe.”
Young said that, meanwhile, campers at Bearcat Getaway Campground near Black River, which is about 140 kilometers south of St. Louis, they climbed a building to get away from the raging waters, but it then collapsed.
At least 100 people rescued
ABC News reported that at least 100 people were rescued in three Missouri counties on Friday (local time) amid flooding and rapidly rising floodwaters. According to the Pacific Fire Protection District, at least 100 of those were water rescues.
The region is affected by adverse weather
The National Weather Service (NWS) said severe weather affected a wide area stretching from the Ozark Mountains in southern Missouri eastward into much of the Ohio and Tennessee river valleys.
Several other states were also reported to be at risk of severe thunderstorms and flash flooding as the slow-moving storm system gradually moved south, the AP reported. The weather service also issued a flash flood warning for the area as storms piled up one after another.
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Officials also warned that another one to three inches of rain is expected Saturday, with unusually high amounts likely across the watch area into the evening.
Officials warn that an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected Saturday, with isolated higher amounts possible in the viewing area through the evening. Areas that received 6 to 12 inches of rain Friday morning remain highly vulnerable to severe and potentially life-threatening flooding.
A state of emergency has been declared in Missouri, and recovery is underway
Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency on Friday (local time) and activated a search and rescue team to help. He said hundreds of people were rescued from flooding, trees, roofs and stranded vehicles. Kehoe added, “Over the past 24 hours, intense storms have created dangerous flash flooding in several regions of Missouri, resulting in several rapid water rescues. Activating the state’s emergency operations plan allows our agencies to move quickly, coordinate resources and support local responses.”
Kehoe noted: “With more heavy rain expected over the weekend, the threat is not over. If you are camping, boating or spending time near rivers and streams, move to higher ground and be alert for weather conditions.”
Recovery efforts are ongoing as officials continue to monitor flooding and warn of more heavy rainfall across Missouri.
