Over 350 rescues performed as flash flooding tears through Missouri, 200 children saved from flooding camp
The Black River at Annapolis has reached a record high and continues to rise, with a crest above 28 feet forecast for Saturday, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
First responders race to rescue stranded campers amid Missouri Flash Flood Emergency
Kate Moore, public relations officer for the Fenton Fire Protection District in the St. Louis area, joined FOX Weather Command to discuss the statewide response to the ongoing Flash Flood Emergency, including efforts to rescue 40 people trapped at an inundated campground.
LESTERVILLE, Mo. — A slow-moving cold front brought torrential rain to the Heartland, triggering a life-threatening Flash Flood Emergency across parts of southeastern Missouri early Friday.
A broader flash flood threat covers nearly 40 million people across parts of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, with more downpours and severe weather expected for the region through the weekend.
The Missouri Regent C Incident Command tells FOX Weather that more than 351 rescues were performed as of 9:45 p.m. on Friday.
Of those rescues were 200 children from Camp Taum Sauk, which were relocated to St. Louis last night.
On Friday afternoon, the Reynolds County Sheriff's Office said that 10 to 17 people are potentially missing after a reported building collapsed into floodwaters at Bearcat Getaway Campground in Reynolds County.
Watch: Floodwaters rush through Black River amid ongoing flash flooding in Missouri
Southeastern Missouri has seen ongoing flash flooding Friday morning as rivers and creeks rose during a Flash Flood Emergency. Video from Reynolds County shows water rushing through the river.
"Search and rescue operations are actively underway, and this remains a rapidly evolving situation," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe issued a State of Emergency and activated the state's Emergency Operations Plan to assist with the ongoing flood response as well as in anticipating more potential flooding through the weekend as more rain is expected.
![Home almost completely flooded in Lesterville, Missouri.]()
Image 1 of 7Home almost completely flooded in Lesterville, Missouri. (Amber Dawn Wilkins/Facebook)
![Several people stand around a campground site near Black River in Lesterville, MO, which is badly flooded.]()
Image 2 of 7Several people stand around a campground site near Black River in Lesterville, MO, which is badly flooded. (Amber Dawn Wilkins/Facebook)
![People sit on a guard rail after being evacuated due to flooding in Lesterville, MO.]()
Image 3 of 7People sit on a guard rail after being evacuated due to flooding in Lesterville, MO. (Katie Poliette-Hultberg/Facebook)
![People evacuated from campgrounds around the Black River in Lesterville, MO.]()
Image 4 of 7People evacuated from campgrounds around the Black River in Lesterville, MO. (Katie Poliette-Hultberg/Facebook)
![Swiftwater rescue teams arrive in Reynolds County, Missouri during Flash Flood Emergency on July 10, 2026.]()
Image 5 of 7Swiftwater rescue teams arrive in Reynolds County, Missouri during Flash Flood Emergency on July 10, 2026. (KTVI)
![Flash Flood Emergency inundates homes in Lesterville, Missouri.]()
Image 6 of 7Flash Flood Emergency inundates homes in Lesterville, Missouri. (Amber Dawn Wilkins)
![Floodwaters swamp home in Elvins, Missouri on July 10, 2026.]()
Image 7 of 7Floodwaters swamp home in Elvins, Missouri on July 10, 2026. (Danielle Love/Facebook)
The National Weather Service (NWS) urged people in Iron and northeastern Reynolds counties in Missouri to seek higher ground early Friday.
The Fenton Fire Protection District told FOX Weather that rescue crews are on their way to 40 people, including children, stranded at the Black River Lodge in Lesterville.
Others were successfully evacuated from multiple campgrounds along the Black River in Lesterville.
4 DEAD AS FLASH FLOODING SLAMS KENTUCKY, TRIGGERING EMERGENCIES AND EVACUATIONS
Earlier Friday morning, an official at a regional emergency dispatch center in Ellisville, Missouri, told FOX Weather that campers needed rescue at multiple campgrounds in Reynolds and Iron counties. Initial calls indicated some had climbed trees to escape rising floodwaters.
Swiftwater rescue teams stage in Lesterville, Missouri, amid Flash Flood Emergency
(Fenton Fire Protection District / FOX Weather)
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.
Due to flooding, the double box culvert on Route 21 over Paynes Branch in Reynolds County has sustained damage and is closed until further notice. This section of roadway is located near Route N. Once water recedes, MoDOT will reevaluate the roadway. pic.twitter.com/esFnnz9j8k
— MoDOT Southeast (@MoDOTSoutheast) July 10, 2026
Swiftwater rescue teams were seen operating in Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park in Reynolds County by mid-morning Friday.
Ameren Missouri, the power provider for the area, told FOX Weather on Friday afternoon roughly 500 customers were without power.
WHAT FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN
Drone: Flash Flood Emergency issued in Southern Missouri
A Flash Flood Emergency has been issued in Southern Missouri, where submerged campgrounds have reportedly forced campers to climb trees to avoid the rising waters.
Homes were flooded in Annapolis, Missouri, early Friday as creek waters washed over local roads and bridges.
State roads throughout Iron and Reynolds counties remain closed due to flooding.
Homes were flooded in Annapolis, Missouri, early Friday as creek waters washed over local roads and bridges.
(Annapolis MO/Facebook / FOX Weather)
The Black River at Annapolis has reached a record high and continues to rise, with a crest above 28 feet forecast for Saturday, according to the FOX Forecast Center.