Missouri, USA, saw parts of the region being hit by heavy rain on Friday, July 10, triggering floods with one person still missing as of Saturday. Following the flood outbreak, authorities deployed eight Black Hawk helicopters to rescue over 200 stranded children and staff members from a summer camp.
On Friday, the southeastern part of Missouri received rainfall ranging from 6 to 12 inches, resulting in all roads leading to the area being cut off. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe stated that the state National Guard mobilized eight Black Hawk helicopters to airlift 202 summer camp attendees and counselors from Camp Taum Sauk in Lesterville, Reynolds County, to a safe location.
Camp Taum Sauk expressed gratitude on Instagram to the rescue team, saying, “We are immensely grateful for your assistance, ensuring the safety of our camp community.”
Governor Kehoe said in a statement, “Missouri’s emergency responders once again demonstrated exceptional courage, professionalism, and compassion in rescuing hundreds of Missouri residents from the dangerous floods. With the rescue efforts ongoing, more rainfall is expected, and I urge all residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas to closely monitor weather forecasts, ensure multiple ways to receive alerts, and prepare for protective measures.”
The governor also mentioned that the floods hit several counties in the southeastern part of Missouri, including Crawford, Iron, Madison, Reynolds, and Wayne counties, with some areas experiencing a once-in-a-millennium level of intense rainfall.
Missouri State Highway Patrolman Eddie Young reported that a woman went missing in Crawford County after her home was swept away from its foundation by the flood.
As the storm moves southward, several other states also face the risk of severe thunderstorms and flash flooding.
The National Weather Service in the USA stated that the severe weather affected a vast area stretching from the southern Ozark Mountains in Missouri to most parts of the Ohio and Tennessee river valleys.
The meteorological department warned that the storm could bring destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and flash floods to multiple states, with impacts lingering in some areas until Sunday.
(This article was based on reports from the Associated Press and CBS.)