Rescues underway at campgrounds along rising Black River in Reynolds County, Mo.; flooding threat remains

REYNOLDS COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) - Emergency responders say they are monitoring the flooding threat in Reynolds County, Missouri.

The National Weather Service has declared a flash flood emergency for northwest Iron County, southern Iron County, and northeast Reynolds County.

According to the NWS, the Black River is forecast to break the all-time record crest on Friday night, July 10 at 28.5 feet. However, the forecast keeps adjusting due to additional rain.

According to the Reynolds County Emergency Management Agency, the county continues to experience “significant” flooding throughout the area, especially Lesterville and the Johnson Shut In’s areas.

Reynolds County Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Chitwood said, there are swift water rescues happening across the county.

There are three campgrounds along the Black River where the rescues are taking place: Twin Rivers, Bear Cat Hideaway and Rivers Edge.

Chitwood said no injuries have been reported, but crews are still rescuing people and assessing the situation as the rain continues to fall and the river continues to swell.

One woman who lives in the area explained how she escaped the rising water.

“We got off of our roof, they put a ladder up there so me and my husband and our dog and our cat came off the roof; and then the other people were an SUV roof and they were rescued off that; and another young man was in a raft so they got him out of there,” Joann Franklin, owner of Franklin Floats Campground, said.

Reynolds County EMA Coordinator Steve Chitwood said multiple county roads are underwater and one lane of Highway 49 near Black, Mo., is washed away.

According to the Annapolis Mayor, there are reports of flooded homes and water rescues taking place.

Lesterville R-IV School District said it has opened up the school for anyone who needs a safe place to go.

The American Red Cross has also opened a shelter at the First Assembly of God Church in Centerville for anyone affected by flooding.

According to the National Weather Service, the Lesterville and Annapolis areas received nearly 7 inches of heavy rainfall late Thursday night into early Friday morning, July 10, with more rain in the forecast.

By 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Chitwood said some locations in Reynolds County recieved 11 inches of rain.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports the Black River near Annapolis is expected to crest at 18.05 feet at 1 p.m. on Friday. This is considered moderate flood stage.

NOAA’s river level map shows that the Black River at Annapolis has risen quickly overnight.

Drivers are urged to use caution and to never drive through flooded roads or attempt to cross water-covered bridges or low-water crossings.