Missouri Flooding Kills One, Prompts Helicopter Rescue of Over 200 Campers

Heavy rainfall triggered flash flooding across Missouri on Friday, killing one woman and forcing emergency crews to airlift more than 200 children and staff from a summer camp. A woman identified as Faith Gregory was found dead Saturday morning after her home was swept away in Crawford County.

Emergency crews rescued about 20 people after a building collapsed at the Bearcat Getaway campground near the Black River. Campers climbed onto the structure to escape rising water before it gave way.

Sauk in Lesterville, floodwaters washed away roads and trapped children and staff. The Army National Guard used Black Hawk helicopters to fly them to a nearby elementary school. The camp posted on Instagram that it was “beyond thankful for your help keeping our camp community safe.” Three additional people were rescued from trees along the Black River in Reynolds County.

Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency Friday and activated a search and rescue team. He said hundreds of people were saved from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and stranded vehicles. Several major roads became impassable, and the Black River was expected to crest above 28 feet near Annapolis, a potential record. Two rescue boats capsized in Reynolds County, but responders were recovered safely.

The National Weather Service said the storms stretched from the Ozark Mountains into the Ohio and Tennessee river valleys. Additional flash flooding remained possible into Sunday in areas that had already received 6 to 12 inches of rain. In eastern Tennessee, flooding closed roads and downed power lines.

Authorities from Kentucky to West Virginia urged residents to seek higher ground. >"This is not the outcome that any of us were hoping for.