Water rescues ongoing in southeast Missouri amid heavy rainfall

Rescue efforts continued Friday amid roiling floodwaters in parts of southeast Missouri, where nearly a foot of rain fell in some areas earlier in the day and more was expected.

Rescue efforts continued Friday amid roiling floodwaters in parts of southeast Missouri, where nearly a foot of rain fell in some areas earlier in the day and more was expected.

Subscribe to read this story ad-free

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

“This is an unfolding event and we’re going to stay here and serve the citizens of Missouri until we get the job done,” said Ernie Rhodes, leader of the federal search-and-rescue cooperative known as Missouri Task Force 1.

In Reynolds County, a group of about 20 people were on a structure at Bearcat Getaway campground in Lesterville, along the Black River, when it collapsed and put many in the floodwaters, Sgt. Eddie Young of Missouri Highway Patrol said at a news conference Friday.