WATCH: Over 200 Children Airlifted by Black Hawks After Missouri Floods Trap Summer Camp

Over 200 children and staff were rescued by Black Hawk helicopters from Camp Taum Sauk in Missouri due to severe flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. Emergency crews also saved around 20 individuals from a collapsing campground building near the Black River.

More than 200 children and staff members were rescued by Black Hawk helicopters after catastrophic flash flooding stranded them at a summer camp in southeastern Missouri, while emergency crews also saved about 20 people from a campground building that collapsed amid rising floodwaters.

The severe flooding, triggered by relentless thunderstorms on Friday, inundated roads and left Camp Taum Sauk in Lesterville cut off from surrounding communities. With access routes submerged and more rain forecast, the Missouri National Guard deployed Black Hawk helicopters to evacuate campers and staff to a nearby elementary school, where anxious families were reunited with their children.

Camp Taum Sauk later thanked emergency responders in a social media post, saying it was “beyond thankful” for the swift action that helped keep everyone safe during the crisis.

Elsewhere, a dramatic rescue unfolded at the Bearcat Getaway campground near the Black River, about 85 miles south of St. Louis. Around 20 campers climbed onto the roof of a building to escape rapidly rising floodwaters, but the structure eventually gave way under the combined force of the water and the weight of those sheltering on it.

According to Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Eddie Young, rescue teams successfully evacuated those trapped before the situation turned more serious.

Emergency responders also rescued three people who had climbed trees after becoming stranded by floodwaters along the Black River in Reynolds County.

Although authorities reported no deaths or major injuries linked to the rescues, officials confirmed that a woman in Crawford County remains missing after floodwaters swept her home off its foundation. Search efforts are continuing.

The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings after parts of southeastern Missouri received between 6 and 12 inches (15 to 30 centimetres) of rainfall in a short period as repeated thunderstorms battered the region.

Meteorologists warned that the affected counties are popular destinations for camping, floating and other outdoor recreation, leaving many visitors vulnerable to rapidly rising water levels.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency and activated state search and rescue teams as floodwaters continued to spread across multiple counties.

The governor said hundreds of people had been rescued from flooded homes, rooftops, stranded vehicles and rising waters throughout the state. Several major highways were also closed because of flooding and storm damage.

Officials warned that the Black River was continuing to rise and could reach a record crest of more than 28 feet near Annapolis, raising concerns about additional flooding over the weekend.

“As recovery efforts continue and additional rain is expected, I urge everyone in flood-prone and low-lying areas to stay weather-aware, have multiple ways of receiving alerts, and be ready to take protective action,” Governor Kehoe said.

The flooding also complicated rescue operations in Reynolds County, where two rescue boats capsized while responding to emergencies. Authorities said all emergency personnel were safely recovered.

Forecasters cautioned that further heavy rainfall could trigger additional flash flooding, urging residents and visitors across southeastern Missouri to remain alert and avoid flooded roads and waterways.

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