200 young campers, staff rescued amid record flooding in Missouri

Rescue crews airlifted more than 200 people from a children's camp in southeastern Missouri after torrential rains caused severe flooding. The Missouri National Guard deployed eight Black Hawk helicopters to extract 202 campers and counselors from Camp Taum Sauk in Lesterville. The region experienced rainfall between 6 and 12 inches, described by Governor Mike Kehoe as a "1-in-1,000-year rainfall event" in some locations, which inundated several counties and made all roads impassable.

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Missouri's first responders once again answered the call with extraordinary bravery, professionalism, and compassion, rescuing hundreds of Missourians from dangerous floodwaters.

Governor Kehoe praised the state's first responders for their bravery and professionalism in rescuing hundreds from dangerous floodwaters. He urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant, use multiple alert systems, and be prepared to take protective actions as additional rain is forecast. The governor pledged continued support for communities as response and recovery efforts proceed.

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As recovery efforts continue and additional rain is expected, I urge everyone in flood-prone and low-lying areas to stay weather-aware, have multiple ways of receiving alerts, and be ready to take protective action.

Elsewhere, campers at the Bearcat Getaway campground near the Black River climbed onto a building to escape rising waters, but the structure collapsed. A highway patrol sergeant noted the building gave way due to the water's weight and constant pressure. Three other individuals were rescued from trees along the Black River. While no major injuries or fatalities have been reported, a woman in Crawford County remains missing after her house was swept from its foundation.

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Between the weight and the constant waters underneath it, it just gave away on them.