(Photo courtesy of KOLR/Nexstar)
Heavy rains across the state brought flooding to many communities.
Flood waters were causing problems for travelers even in metropolitan areas.
In Springfield, portions of Commercial and Chestnut Expressway were closed due to flooding.
Some parking lots on Glenstone looked like lakes.
Nixa reported that water was covering some roads because of blockage in drainage ditches.
Several roads in Lebanon had water covering them from a heavy mid-day storm and some roads around Bennet Springs State Park had to be closed.
Several businesses in West Plains including a Ford dealership were 2 feet of water.
Governor Mike Kehoe says even though he has activated the Missouri National Guard and other emergency agencies to rescue those trapped by flood waters, he is urging Missourians not to travel this weekend because of the flooding.
He says if they have to travel, they should pay attention to local weather forecast and the MoDOT Traveler Information Map.
Here is Governor Kehoe’s statement on the flooding State of Emergency:
| JEFFERSON CITY – Governor Mike Kehoe is urging Missourians to avoid traveling in areas that experience heavy rainfall and flash flooding this weekend, as the State of Missouri deploys resources and personnel to respond to dangerous flooding. “The National Weather Service is forecasting very heavy rainfall – possibly exceeding 10 inches in some localized areas – and dangerous flooding, particularly in southeast Missouri over the next two days,” Governor Kehoe said. “While we have activated the Missouri National Guard and our state team is positioning swift water rescue teams and other response assets, we urge all Missourians to follow their local weather forecasts very closely and avoid driving into flooded areas and areas known to experience flash flooding. Let’s protect ourselves and allow first responders to get emergency help where it’s needed.” On Wednesday, Governor Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-21 activating the Missouri National Guard to assist with response efforts. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and state response agencies have been monitoring the approaching severe weather system and coordinating with the National Weather Service since last weekend. Governor Kehoe first declared a State of Emergency on March 14, 2025, through Executive Order 25-19, activating the State Emergency Operations Plan. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Water Patrol Division has deployed five swift water rescue boat teams and the dive team to southeast Missouri. In addition to the Patrol resources, there are ten other boat teams deployed to southeast Missouri. The Missouri Division of Fire Safety is coordinating with local and regional fire service mutual aid coordinators to track the positioning and capabilities of local swift-water rescue teams. The Missouri National Guard has deployed personnel to Butler County, equipped with highwater vehicles and mission capabilities to include motorist assistance, levee reinforcement and monitoring, sandbagging assistance, commodities distribution, and other potential needs. The State Emergency Operations Center is currently activated to a Level 3 with SEMA operations, planning and emergency human services staff as well as emergency support partners from the Highway Patrol, MoDOT, Missouri National Guard, Missouri Division of Fire Safety, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri Task Force 1 and the American Red Cross to assist with resource coordination and requests for assistance. SEMA has also activated a Type 3 Urban Search and Rescue Team from Missouri Task Force 1 to deploy to Poplar Bluff. This Type 3 Task Force is a 48-person specialized rescue team that includes a 35-person specialized search and rescue team with an embedded swift water rescue capability, a logistical support team and other specialized resources and personnel. The Missouri Department of Transportation is mobilizing additional resources to impacted areas of the state to assist with traffic control, signage and barricades for flooded and closed roadways. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources stands ready to assist communities that sustain storm damage with managing their debris and providing technical assistance to drinking water or wastewater facilities impacted by power failures or flooding. Missourians should remember these safety tips related to flash flooding and high water: Never drive on a flooded roadway, including low-water crossing and low bridges. More than half of people who die in flooding were in vehicles. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles. Night-time flooding is the most dangerous, because low visibility means you can wind up in the water before you ever see it. Slow down! Never attempt to walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can knock you over. Follow the weather closely and follow safety instructions from local authorities. The NWS has said minor shifts in the weather system could cause rain totals to climb in. For questions or immediate assistance, Missourians are encouraged to reach out to their city or county emergency management director. For more information on road closures, visit the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traveler Information Map. Real-time emergency information is also available by tuning to local radio and television stations across the state. |
