Over 350 rescues in Missouri amid devastating flooding, campground collapse
Missouri flooding: About 100 water rescues reported, campground building collapses into floodwaters
Over 350 people were rescued across three counties in Missouri, officials said.
Over 350 people were rescued across three counties in Missouri on Friday amid catastrophic flooding and rapidly rising floodwaters. Authorities warn that many roads remain washed out or are covered by floodwater and are impassable on Saturday.
About 100 rescues were water rescues and the remaining were of staff and campers from Camp Taum Sauk in Reynolds County, according to the Pacific Fire Protection District.
All the staff and campers from Camp Taum Sauk were safely evacuated and are being reunited with family, according to officials.
Several campers who took shelter on the roof of a building that collapsed were rescued Friday with initial reports from the Reynolds County Sheriff's Office indicating 10 to 17 individuals may have entered the water during the incident.
Crews are continuing their searches on Saturday as they move through debris, a spokesperson for the Pacific Fire Protection District said.
In Crawford County, a missing woman, identified as Faith Gregory, was found dead Saturday about 2 miles downstream from her home in Huzzah Creek, according to the county sheriff's office.
"This is not the outcome that any of us were hoping for," the sheriff's office said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Faith’s family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss."
Officials warn that an additional 1 to 3 inches of rainfall are expected Saturday, with isolated higher amounts possible across the watch area through the evening. Locations that received 6 to 12 inches of rain Friday morning will be especially susceptible to serious and life-threatening flooding.
Campers at the Taum Sauk campsite were alerted early Friday morning to the rising water levels after the area saw more than 12 inches of rain, Kate Moore, the public information officer for Missouri Region C Incident Support Team, told KFVS-12 Heartland News.
The campers, about 168 teens and 60 adults, were airlifted out of the flooded area by National Guard helicopters, Moore said.
Some people remain stranded by the high waters in the area, Moore added. "But they're OK. They're just stranded because the roads are washed away. We have a lot of damage, the trees, buildings, a lot of things have gone and ripped the roads away," she said.
The governor of Missouri declared a state of emergency on Friday in response to flash flooding.
"Over the past 24 hours, intense storms have created dangerous flash flooding across several regions of Missouri, resulting in multiple swift-water rescues. Activating the State Emergency Operations Plan allows our agencies to move quickly, coordinate resources, and support local response efforts," Gov. Mike Kehoe said in a statement Friday.
"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. "Missourians should continue to monitor local forecasts and follow the guidance of local authorities."
Officials are warning Missourians not to attempt to drive through floodwaters even if the water appears shallow.
"More than half of flood deaths in Missouri are victims in vehicles. Nighttime severe weather is particularly dangerous because visibility is severely reduced. If you find yourself stranded by floodwaters, immediately call for help and seek higher ground," the governor's office warned Friday.
-ABC News' Alexandra Fine and Ivan Pereira contributed to this report.
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