DAVISVILLE, Missouri (PNN) - July 11, 2026 - Catastrophic flooding has triggered a state of emergency across parts of Missouri after what forecasters described as a “once-in-a-millennium” rainfall sent rivers surging to historic levels.
Thousands have been placed under a flash flood emergency by the National Weather Service with crews having already carried out more than 90 water rescues, according to the Reynolds County sheriff's office.
Relentless thunderstorms dumped between six and 12 inches of rain near the Black River in southeastern Missouri, inundating roads, campgrounds and communities.
Officials warned the danger was far from over on Friday evening, with rivers continuing to rise and additional flooding expected in the coming hours. The river rose to an all-time high of 28.7 feet during the day on Friday.
At least one young woman is still missing after her home was washed away in the flood waters.
In another dramatic scene, around 20 people had to be pulled to safety after a building at the Bearcat Getaway campground near the Black River collapsed beneath them, sending campers into the raging waters.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Eddie Young said the group had climbed onto the structure before it gave way, forcing emergency responders to rescue them from the flood.
The extreme weather also endangered first responders. During one rescue mission, a Missouri State Highway Patrol boat became entangled in a submerged line. The two troopers aboard were forced to abandon the vessel and enter the floodwaters before both safely made it ashore without injury.
The floods came after several inches of rain fell overnight on Thursday and into the morning across a long swath of central and eastern Missouri.
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings as thunderstorms piled on the area one after another, explained Matt Beitscher, a lead meteorologist with the NWS office in St. Louis. “It's a very, very popular place for recreation,” said Beitscher of the affected counties.
“There are campgrounds there. There are float trip locations there. A lot of vulnerable populations that would be susceptible to flash flooding,” said Beitscher.
Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency as the crisis escalated, activating one of Missouri's urban search-and-rescue teams while National Guard helicopters were dispatched to reach residents cut off by floodwaters.
Kehoe also issued a public service announcement as he urged all Missourians to pay attention to the weather forecast and heed warnings, particularly those on or near rivers and streams.
He said that people should have multiple ways to receive alerts, including overnight, as weather conditions change rapidly.
Several major roads became impassable, and authorities established a family reunification center as rescue operations continued.
Meteorologists described the deluge as a “once-in-a-millennium” rainfall event, warning that swollen rivers would continue rising even after the rain eased, raising fears that the worst flooding may still be ahead.
Parts of southeastern Missouri have already picked up at least 12.25 inches of rain since Thursday.
The Missouri Department of Transportation Southeast District said Highway 21 in Reynolds County sustained major damage because of the flooding and would be closed until further notice.
There is still a risk of flash flooding early into next week as the weather front continues to move slowly south and east, reports Fox Weather.
