Missouri Declares Emergency After 12 Inches of Rain Trigger Flash Flooding
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 10
Missouri Declares Emergency After 12 Inches of Rain Trigger Flash Flooding
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 10
Summary
Missouri activated its state emergency operations plan after severe storms and flash flooding hit central, south-central and southeastern areas, with Governor Mike Kehoe saying multiple swift-water rescues were already underway.
Rainfall of 6 to 12 inches from Thursday night into early Friday drove what NWS forecasters called extensive and catastrophic flooding, affecting homes, roads and campgrounds.
A 50-member state task force with rescue boats and specialized equipment has been deployed alongside the highway patrol, emergency management, fire safety, parks and conservation agencies.
Iron and Reynolds counties were under a Flash Flood Emergency on Friday, while warnings and an extended flood watch covered parts of 10 counties as more thunderstorms were expected through the weekend.
Forecasters said saturated soils could bring numerous additional flash floods across southeastern Missouri into the Tennessee Valley, with damaging winds, hail and a brief tornado also possible.