Rescue Operations in Southeast Missouri Following Severe Flooding

On Friday, Army National Guard troops utilized eight Black Hawk helicopters to rescue hundreds of young campers from severe flooding in southeast Missouri. Alongside them, other first responders employed boats and additional helicopters to assist stranded residents.

Heavy rainfall had washed out a road near Camp Taum Sauk, located southeast of Lesterville, where over 200 campers and counselors found themselves trapped. According to reports from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a Black Hawk helicopter was dispatched to transport the campers to a nearby elementary school, enabling their reunion with family members.

The camp, situated about 190 miles south of St. Louis, expressed gratitude toward emergency personnel later that day, sharing a message on Instagram that read, “We would like to thank the National Guard, Reynolds County 911 emergency responders, and the entire Arcadia community. We could not be more grateful for their help in keeping our camping community safe.”

This camp has been operating since 1946 and serves children aged 8 to 16. The situation was exacerbated when a severe thunderstorm caused the Black River to reach a record level, creating dangerous conditions across the area.

Reynolds County Emergency Services also responded to a reported building collapse at the Bearcat Getaway Campground. Authorities initiated a search and rescue operation for up to 17 individuals who might have been affected by the collapse. Fortunately, updates indicated that all those initially believed to be missing had either been rescued or were safe.

In a concerning development, a woman was reported missing in nearby Crawford County after floodwaters quickly overtook her home. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office indicated that the search effort was extensive but hampered by darkness, although it was set to resume the following morning.

The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office noted that various teams, including ground units, watercraft, and drones, were deployed to assist flood victims under perilous circumstances. The National Weather Service had issued a flash flood emergency alert for more than 4,000 residents in parts of Reynolds and Iron counties earlier that morning.

By Friday afternoon, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency, stating, “Activation of the State Emergency Operations Plan will allow our agencies to act quickly, coordinate resources, and support local response efforts.” He expressed appreciation for the first responders working tirelessly to save lives.