Missouri floods: 200 campers airlifted, 20 rescued from collapsing building amid 12-inch rainfall
Torrential rain of up to 12 inches overnight caused severe flash flooding along the Black River in southeast Missouri on July 10-11, trapping hundreds at a summer camp and a campground.
Deluge overnight
Heavy thunderstorms overnight July 10-11 dumped 6 to 12 inches (150 to 300 mm) of rain on Reynolds County and surrounding areas in the Ozarks, triggering flash flooding along the Black River and its tributaries. The National Weather Service described the event as a once-in-a-thousand-years rainfall. Roads washed away, isolating campgrounds and recreational sites popular for float trips.
Camp Taum Sauk airlift
At Camp Taum Sauk near Lesterville, the river began rising after 2 a.m. on July 10, forcing the evacuation of girls' cabins to the cafeteria, then to tennis courts as water crept in. About half of the 200 stranded people were children, the rest counselors and staff. Parents, like Jennifer Box of St. Louis, received an email saying children were safe but unreachable; she called the wait harrowing. By afternoon, Black Hawk helicopters from the Missouri Army National Guard airlifted the group to a nearby elementary school, where families reunited. Everett Box, 11, an attendee for his third summer, described the mix of fear and excitement.
When I first heard we were getting on helicopters, I was kind of scared. Then I kind of warmed up to it and was superexcited to go on it.
The camp posted on Instagram, thanking emergency crews for keeping the camp community safe.
Bearcat Getaway collapse
Further south, at the Bearcat Getaway campground near the Black River, about 20 people climbed onto a building to escape the floodwaters. The structure collapsed under the weight and force of the water, but all were rescued, according to State Highway Patrol Sergeant Eddie Young.
Between the weight and the constant waters underneath it, it just gave away on them.
Three other people trapped in trees along the river were rescued Friday evening. Joann Franklin, a lifelong resident since 1979, was rescued from her roof with her husband and pets, saying it was the highest the water had ever been.
State response and missing person
Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency and activated a search and rescue team. The National Guard and boat teams rescued hundreds from rooftops, vehicles, and trees. No fatalities had been reported as of Friday evening, but a woman in Crawford County remained missing after her house was swept off its foundation. Search crews planned to revisit campgrounds as floodwaters receded, though two rescue boats capsized earlier in turbulent waters with all crew safely recovered.
Weather outlook
The NWS warned that further heavy rain overnight into Saturday morning could bring considerable flood impacts. Lead meteorologist Matt Beitscher noted the region's vulnerability.
It's very, very popular place for recreation. So there are campgrounds there. There are float trip locations there. A lot of vulnerable populations that would be susceptible to flash flooding.
- Thunderstorms dump 6–12 inches of rain, triggering flash flooding along Black River.
- Girls at Camp Taum Sauk evacuated to cafeteria; later move to tennis courts as water rises.
- Governor Mike Kehoe declares state of emergency, activates National Guard and search teams.
- Black Hawk helicopters airlift 200 campers and staff to elementary school.
- Building at Bearcat Getaway campground collapses; about 20 people rescued.
- Three rescued from trees on Black River; one woman reported missing in Crawford County.
