Missouri floods: 20 campers rescued after building collapses at Bearcat Getaway

Rescuers pulled around 20 campers from floodwaters after a building collapsed at Missouri's Bearcat Getaway campground. The incident unfolded amid severe flash flooding that forced dozens more rescues and prompted a state emergency.

In Short

• More than 90 water rescues were conducted across Reynolds County overnight
• Thunderstorms repeatedly lashed central and eastern Missouri, worsening dangerous flash flooding
• Rainfall totals between six and twelve inches inundated the Black River area

Emergency crews rescued about 20 people in Missouri on Friday after a building collapsed at a campground amid widespread flooding and heavy rain in the state. The incident happened at the Bearcat Getaway campground near the Black River, as rescue operations were launched across affected areas.

Authorities said more than 90 water rescues were carried out in Reynolds County after several inches of rain fell overnight into the morning across a large stretch of central and eastern Missouri. Flash flood warnings were issued as thunderstorms repeatedly hit the area.

The campers were on top of a building at the campground, around 85 miles south of St. Louis, when it collapsed, Sgt Eddie Young of the Missouri State Highway Patrol said at a press conference. He said they were later rescued from the water.

The National Weather Service said the area received between 6 and 12 inches of rain. Matt Beitscher, lead meteorologist with the NWS office in St. Louis, said, "It's very, very popular place for recreation. So there are campgrounds there. There are float trip locations there. A lot of vulnerable populations that would be susceptible to flash flooding."

Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency and activated one of the state's search and rescue teams to help. Young said several major roads had become impassable because of flooding and damage, and a helicopter from the Missouri National Guard was being used to reach stranded people.

In Reynolds County, two rescue boats capsized in the floodwaters, but the sheriff's office said the responders were safely recovered by other emergency personnel. A family reunification centre has also been set up as rescue work continued after the heavy rain and flooding.

With PTI Inputs

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