Ozarks slammed by flooding; woman drowns in Christian County

After storms saturated the ground much of the week, several inches of rain fell across Springfield and much of southern Missouri Saturday, causing widespread flooding that prompted Gov. Eric Greitens to declare a state of emergency.

Flooding from the heavy rains sweeping across the Midwest has killed at least one person in Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a 72-year-old woman drowned despite her husband's efforts to save her as their vehicle was swept away by rushing waters Saturday near Clever in Christian County. The patrol says her body was found after waters receded.

The state reported nearly 100 evacuations and nearly three dozen rescues by late afternoon.

Springfield was under a flash flood emergency for much of Saturday, and the National Weather Service is predicting more rain during the day Sunday.

Throughout the area, rivers have crested bridges, barricades have blocked off flooded intersections, and roadways have been closed. The Missouri Department of Transportation said late Saturday that lanes of U.S. 60 west of Rogersville have been restricted due to water encroaching on the roadway. Drivers are urged to use caution or find an alternative route, if possible.

As of 7 p.m. Saturday, there had been 11 water rescues in Greene County this weekend, but no injuries had been reported due to flooding, according to a spokeswoman for the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management.

Throughout the day, the office of emergency management kept an "ever-evolving" list of about 60 roads covered by water, spokeswoman Erin Hedlun said.

Hedlun said it's crucial for motorists to be extra cautious. Drivers throughout Springfield need to be aware that there are manhole covers coming loose or completely off because of flooding, she said.

"We just really urge extreme caution," Hedlun said.

Anywhere from 3 to 7 inches of rain had fallen in southwest Missouri as of 7:30 p.m., according to Andy Foster, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Southern Missouri was particularly hit hard, Foster said, where 6 to 8 inches of rain fell — and with some areas receiving as much as 10 inches.

Some river levels could approach historic marks, he said.

"In terms of historical speaking, this is a major flood event," Foster said. "This is not a usual flash flood event."

Most rivers will reach "moderate flood stage," Foster said, and some rivers will reach "major flood stage."

Foster had advice for anyone driving Saturday and Sunday: "Do not try and drive into to a flooded area."

The city of Branson said via Facebook Saturday evening that there was an "imminent danger of travel through the city."

The post said several locations through the area, including major roadways, could be at high risk for flooding. The city had already evacuated all 150 campsites at its campgrounds on Friday.

On a separate post, the city said water levels in Lake Taneycomo had risen 3 feet in a single hour to just three feet below the level of the boardwalk.

The American Red Cross Southern Missouri opened two shelters — in Branson and in Anderson — Saturday night to assist people affected by the storms and flooding, the organization said in a press release.

The shelters are located at the First Baptist Church on 1 Friendship Lane in Anderson and at Branson United Methodist at 1208 W. Highway 76 in Branson, the release said.

According to the release, food, water and a place to spend the night were offered to those who need it.

The release said partner agencies will be opening shelters at the following locations:

• Old Reeds Spring Middle School at the intersection of Highway 76 and Highway 413 in Reeds Spring
• Calvary Baptist Church at 2650 Oak Ridge Extension in Neosho
• Winona Senior Center at 212 Sapper St. in Winona
• United Methodist Church at 1600 N. Central in Monett

In Ozark, firefighters shut down the Finley River Bridge, as water levels continued to rise.

The Missouri Department of Transportation said in a press release that flash flooding had closed 150 state roads in Missouri, mostly in southern Missouri.

The Department of Natural Resources issued a release saying many state parks have been shut downSaturday and Sunday because of flooding.