More than 200 children and counselors were airlifted from Camp Taum Sauk in Lesterville, Missouri, on Friday after historic rainfall triggered dangerous flash flooding. The Missouri National Guard deployed eight UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and approximately 35 crew members to evacuate the campers to a nearby elementary school, according to the office of Gov. Mike Kehoe.
National Guard Airlifts Campers During 1-in-1,000-Year Rain Event
The evacuation occurred after an overnight storm dropped as much as 12 inches of rain within a few hours across several Missouri counties. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office described the rainfall as a “1-in-1,000-year rainfall event” in some areas. The governor declared a state of emergency on Friday to coordinate rescue efforts.
Ann DeField, whose sons Benjamin (11) and Teddy (9) were among those rescued, told NPR that she received texts from other parents Friday morning regarding flash flooding. The camp notified parents that children had moved to higher ground before the Black Hawk helicopters arrived in the afternoon. Teddy described the experience to NPR as “really, really fun,” noting the helicopters were “very loud and very cool and fast.”
Fatalities and Regional Flood Impact
The severe weather caused at least one confirmed death in Missouri. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office reported that 23-year-old Faith Gregory was found dead Saturday in Huzzah Creek, nearly two miles from her home. According to St. Louis Public Radio, Gregory was swept away by floodwaters on Friday morning.
Beyond the camp rescue, other emergency responses included:
- Missouri Task Force 1: Deployed 50 members with rescue boats and specialized equipment to assist stranded motorists, according to St. Louis Public Radio.
- Black River Cresting: The Black River, located about 100 miles south of St. Louis, was forecast to crest at a record level of more than 28 feet near Annapolis.
- Regional Warnings: The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Paducah, Kentucky, warned that saturated ground would lead to rapid runoff as additional storms moved through the region into Saturday evening.
Wider Weather Crisis Across Missouri and Kentucky
The flooding in Missouri coincided with a broader weather crisis in the central U.S. Kentucky has faced repeated severe weather systems throughout June. Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency on June 27 following heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds. According to Gov. Beshear, at least six people died during those specific flooding events in Kentucky.
As of Saturday afternoon, flood watches remained in effect into Sunday for large portions of Missouri and Kentucky, as well as parts of Tennessee, West Virginia, and Indiana.
Safety Guidelines for Flood-Prone Areas
Gov. Kehoe urged residents in low-lying areas to maintain multiple ways of receiving weather alerts and to remain weather-aware. The governor’s office highlighted a critical safety statistic: more than half of flood-related deaths in Missouri historically involve victims who become trapped in their vehicles. Officials strongly advised drivers to check forecasts before departing and to never drive through flooded roadways.