Black Hawk choppers rescue 200 campers as historic Missouri flooding leaves 1 dead
First responders have rescued more than 350 people following catastrophic weekend flooding in southeast Missouri that left one person dead.
Faith Gregory, 23, was reportedly swept away from her…
First responders have rescued more than 350 people following catastrophic weekend flooding in southeast Missouri that left one person dead.
Faith Gregory, 23, was reportedly swept away from her home near Davisville during the initial wave of storms. Her body was found in Huzzah Creek 32 hours after she went missing early Friday morning.
More than 200 stranded campers and counselors were rescued by Missouri National Guard Black Hawk helicopters after flooding described as a 100-year event left rural communities with widespread damage.
The Missouri National Guard deployed the helicopters to Reynolds County to airlift more than 200 stranded summer campers and counselors from Camp Taum Sauk. Everyone was rescued safely.
“Missouri’s aviation community trains and stands ready to respond to a variety of dynamic missions such as this one,” said Maj. Gen. Charles Hausman, the Missouri National Guard adjutant general. “It was an honor for us to assist our Missouri emergency responders with these unique capabilities.”
The Black River crested at nearly 29 feet, breaking the previous record set in 1993. A Missouri State Highway Patrol rescue boat also capsized on the river. The boat was later found wrapped around a tree, but the troopers jumped to safety and were not injured.
Missouri Task Force 1 is nearing completion of its flood response mission after arriving Friday to support first responders across the state. The urban search-and-rescue team conducted systematic primary searches of flood-damaged homes, campers and vehicles from sunrise to sunset.
Task force members completed primary searches of more than 100 damaged structures, 90 damaged campers and 120 damaged vehicles.
“We’re proud to have had the opportunity to assist our fellow Missourians during this historic flooding event,” Westhoff said. “When communities call for help, that’s exactly what Missouri Task Force 1 was built to do.”
(Image credit: Missouri State Highway Patrol)
