Missouri floods rescue over 350 people, trigger state emergency
Heavy rain of 6‑12 inches over Thursday night caused flash flooding in southeast Missouri, inundating the Black River and surrounding low‑lying areas of Reynolds, Crawford and Iron counties. More than 350 residents were rescued, including over 200 children and staff at Camp Taum Sauk who were airlifted by Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters to a nearby school. Two rescue boats capsized but their crews were recovered safely. One fatality was confirmed when 23‑year‑old Faith Gregory was swept away from her home in Crawford County; her body was found downstream in Huzzah Creek. Governor Mike Kehee declared a state of emergency, activating the State Emergency Operations Plan and coordinating search‑and‑rescue efforts with local agencies. Officials also issued guidance for reporting displaced livestock as farms assess losses. Additional rain is forecast for the weekend, keeping flood warnings in effect and prompting continued vigilance across the affected region.