Searches continue after 1-in-1,000-year flood devastates Missouri’s Black River region
Torrential rain triggered a rare flash flood emergency, hundreds of rescues and catastrophic flooding at campgrounds, roads and homes across south-central Missouri.
At least 20 campers were rescued from a rooftop at Bearcat Getaway Campground near Lesterville, Missouri, after floodwaters surged through the area. Search and rescue crews are still combing debris along the river.
Search operations continued along the Black River in Missouri this week after a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event caused catastrophic flash flooding, washed out roads and campgrounds and prompted hundreds of rescues.
The National Weather Service issued a rare flash flood emergency on Friday, July 10, for parts of Iron and Reynolds counties, urging residents to move to higher ground immediately as thunderstorms unleashed torrential rainfall across south-central Missouri.
The storms produced as much as 12 inches or more of rain in just a matter of hours in parts of Crawford, Iron, Madison, Reynolds and Wayne counties, according to Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office. The governor’s office said the extreme rainfall amounted to a 1-in-1,000-year event in some locations.
A camper is wedged between trees on the banks of the Black River after flash flooding caused water levels to rise and flood the campsite in Lesterville, Mo., on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Liz Rymarev/St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Floodwater quickly overwhelmed creeks, streams, campgrounds and low-lying roads across the Black River region, creating life-threatening conditions for residents, campers and first responders.
Some of the most extensive damage was reported near Lesterville, Missouri, where 8.96 inches of rain fell. Bixby recorded 9.63 inches of rain in 24 hours. Radar-estimated rainfall totals reached 12 inches in some areas, including near Mark Twain National Forest.
Floodwater rose so rapidly that the Missouri National Guard used eight UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to evacuate 202 children and counselors stranded by floodwaters at Camp Taum Sauk in Lesterville, according to Kehoe’s office. Missouri Task Force 1, the state’s Urban Search and Rescue team, participated in more than 100 rescues.
Trey Millard, left, of Columbia, Mo., throws a box to his dad, Rob Millard, right, across a broken County Road 364 as his brother, Ky Millard, prepares to hand off a baby carrier in Lesterville, Mo., on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Liz Rymarev/St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
The flooding also turned dangerous for emergency crews. Two Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers had to abandon their boat on the Black River in Reynolds County after the motor became entangled in a submerged line. The boat was later recovered.
“Two troopers immediately entered the water and safely self-rescued,” the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.
A Missouri State Highway Patrol boat in a tree after severe flooding in Reynolds County, Missouri, beginning on July 10, 2026. (Image credit: MSHP)
At Bearcat Getaway campground near the Black River, campers climbed onto a building to escape the rising water before the structure collapsed, the Associated Press reported. Emergency crews rescued about 20 people from the campground.
Kehoe declared a state of emergency on July 10 in response to the flash flooding, activating Missouri’s State Emergency Operations Plan to help state agencies coordinate with local jurisdictions and speed up assistance.
“With additional heavy rain expected through the weekend, the threat is not over. If you're camping, floating or spending time near rivers and streams, move to higher ground and stay alert of weather conditions,” Kehoe said Friday. “Missourians should continue to monitor local forecasts and follow the guidance of local authorities.”
Evy Miller, of Lesterville, Mo., walks through her flooded childhood home in Lesterville, Mo., Saturday, July 11, 2026. Flash flooding from the Black River flooded her mother's house and she came to help clean up and save what they could. "It's just crazy I feel bad for everyone," Miller said. (Liz Rymarev/St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Over the weekend, the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency deployed local response teams, including medical care teams, to Lesterville and other impacted areas.
“They’ve treated a couple responders injured in the debris, assisted some individuals with refilling prescriptions that were lost to the floods and have conducted welfare checks for those unable to leave their homes,” MoSEMA said.
As recovery continued, officials urged people to avoid flooded roads and damaged areas. Kehoe’s office warned that just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet, while a foot of water can move most cars. More than half of flood deaths in Missouri involve people in vehicles, according to the governor’s office.
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