Over 200 Campers Rescued from Flooding in Southeastern Missouri

Rescue crews airlifted 202 campers and counselors from Camp Taum Sauk in Lesterville, Missouri, after severe flooding caused by 6 to 12 inches of rain on Friday. The Missouri National Guard deployed eight Black Hawk helicopters to assist in the operation, as all roads into the area were cut off due to the flooding. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe commended first responders for their efforts, urging residents in flood-prone areas to stay alert and prepared for further rain.

The flooding affected multiple counties, including Crawford, Iron, Madison, Reynolds, and Wayne, with some areas experiencing a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event. In a separate incident, campers at the Bearcat Getaway campground sought refuge on a building that later collapsed, and three individuals were rescued from trees along the Black River. While there have been no major injuries reported, a woman named Faith Gregory is missing after her house was swept away in Crawford County. Search efforts for Gregory and her dogs are ongoing.