Dozens of residents were airlifted to safety by the Missouri National Guard on Saturday after severe flooding inundated homes and roadways across the state, with several rivers reaching major flood stage.
Helicopter Rescues Underway
The National Guard deployed Black Hawk helicopters to rescue people trapped in flooded areas, particularly in the southeastern part of the state. According to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, at least 40 people were rescued from rooftops and vehicles in Butler and Stoddard counties.
Water levels in the Black River and St. Francis River rose rapidly after days of torrential rain, catching many residents off guard. In some areas, floodwaters reached depths of up to four feet, submerging cars and entering homes.
State of Emergency Declared
Governor Mike Parson declared a state of emergency on Friday, activating the National Guard to assist with search and rescue operations. “We are deploying every resource available to protect lives and property,” Parson said in a statement. “The flooding is dangerous and fast-moving. I urge all Missourians to stay alert and follow evacuation orders.”
More than 100 National Guard troops were mobilized, along with swift-water rescue teams and high-water vehicles. Shelters have been opened in Poplar Bluff and Cape Girardeau for displaced residents.
Rivers Cresting at Record Levels
The National Weather Service reported that the Black River at Poplar Bluff crested at 19.3 feet on Saturday, just shy of the record 19.7 feet set in 2011. The St. Francis River near Fisk reached 18.5 feet, the third-highest level on record. Flood warnings remain in effect for several counties, with some rivers expected to remain above flood stage into next week.
Meteorologists attributed the heavy rainfall to a stalled frontal system that dumped up to 10 inches of rain over a 48-hour period in parts of southeastern Missouri. The saturated ground could not absorb the water, leading to rapid runoff and flash flooding.
Impact on Communities
In Butler County, Sheriff Mark Dobbs said the flooding was the worst he had seen in his 20-year career. “We’ve had water in places that have never flooded before,” Dobbs told local media. “We are grateful for the National Guard’s help. They’ve been pulling people out all night.”
Farmland has been heavily impacted, with thousands of acres of corn and soybeans submerged. The Missouri Farm Bureau estimated that crop losses could total in the tens of millions of dollars. Infrastructure damage includes washed-out roads and bridges, with the Missouri Department of Transportation reporting closures on more than 30 state highways.
Ongoing Rescues and Forecast
Rescue operations continued through the weekend as teams searched for any remaining stranded individuals. The National Guard said it had conducted more than 50 rescues by air and ground as of Sunday morning. No fatalities had been reported, but officials cautioned that the situation remains fluid.
The National Weather Service forecast called for additional rain in the region on Sunday, raising concerns about renewed flooding. Residents in low-lying areas were urged to evacuate voluntarily rather than wait for emergency crews.
The flooding in Missouri is part of a broader pattern of severe weather across the Midwest, where heavy rains have caused rivers to swell from Kansas to Illinois. Federal emergency officials are monitoring the situation and have offered assistance to state authorities.
