Overview
- Heavy, slow-moving storms on Friday, July 10, produced intense rainfall of roughly 5 to 11 inches in parts of Iron and Reynolds counties and triggered a National Weather Service Flash Flood Emergency.
- The NWS Flash Flood Emergency is a highest-level warning that signals life‑threatening, catastrophic flooding and urged people in the warned area to move to higher ground immediately.
- Emergency crews carried out multiple water rescues, including campers stranded in trees and people rescued from rooftops, and local dispatchers reported at least five people unaccounted for in Reynolds County.
- Floodwaters forced widespread road closures across the region, with the Missouri Department of Transportation listing numerous state and county routes closed by water, debris or downed trees.
- Rivers have risen to or above flood stage — the Black River was already in moderate flooding and is forecast to crest at higher levels Friday evening — and forecasters say high stages should ease over the following day but will prolong hazards for residents and responders.