Southern Missouri Flooding Prompts More Than 350 Rescues

ST. LOUIS - The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a flood warning Saturday morning, July 11, 2026, for the Meramec River at Pacific in Franklin and Jefferson counties, forecasting minor flooding from Sunday evening, July 12, 2026, to Wednesday afternoon, July 15, 2026, as Southern Missouri continues to respond to widespread flooding that has prompted at least 350 rescues.

At 9 a.m. CDT Saturday, the river stage at Pacific was minus 0.8 feet, according to the weather service. The river is expected to rise above the 15-foot flood stage Sunday evening and crest at 17.4 feet early Monday afternoon before falling below flood stage Tuesday morning.

The weather service said State Highway AK begins flooding at 17.0 feet near the intersection with State Highway O near Robertsville.

“Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles,” the weather service said. It also warned that rainfall heavier than forecast could cause river levels to rise higher than predicted.

The warning comes as crews in Southern Missouri have rescued more than 350 people from floodwaters as of Saturday morning were severe storms from Thursday evening to Friday morning that dumped 6 to 12 inches of rain across many counties in south-central and southeastern Missouri.

Heavy rainfall early Friday caused severe flash flooding along the Black River in Reynolds and Iron counties, prompting dozens of water rescues and leaving residents trapped on rooftops as rising water cut off access to Lesterville.

In Reynolds County, authorities reported at least 90 rescues Friday involving residents, campers and motorists affected by rapidly rising floodwaters.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol released video showing more than 200 children and counselors were evacuated from a camp in Reynolds County. Officials said all have since been safely reunited with their families.

The flooding also led to the rescue of about 20 people who climbed onto the roof of a campground building before it collapsed.

Officials said more than 12 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours, which they described as a one-in-1,000-year rainfall event. According to the governor’s office, more than 200 water rescue operations took place. Gov. Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency Friday due to the flooding.

Kehoe praised first responders in a statement posted by his office.

“I am proud of the extraordinary response from our state and local partners,” Kehoe said.

“While historic flooding has tested Missouri, I am grateful to everyone who has answered the call when their neighbors needed them most,” he said.

All roads in and out of Lesterville were closed Friday because of flooding. Highway 21, one of the primary routes into and out of Lesterville, had partially collapsed. A building at Bearcat campground collapsed while close to 20 people waited to be rescued on the roof, sending search and rescue teams back into the water.

The Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office said two rescue boats also collapsed during the response. All first responders involved were safely rescued. As of Friday evening, there had been no reported deaths or serious injuries, the sheriff’s office said.

Meanwhile, in Crawford County, the sheriff’s office reported at least one individual missing as of Friday afternoon after encountering floodwaters.

Rescue efforts in many southern Missouri counties remain ongoing.

The Missouri Emergency Management Agency urged campers and residents to monitor conditions closely.

“Flash floods happen fast, even if it’s not raining where you are,” the agency said.

The National Weather Service said it will monitor the situation and issue follow-up statements as conditions change.