The Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are urging drivers to stay alert and exercise extreme caution this weekend as parts of the state prepare for potentially historic rainfall.
According to MoDOT, more than six inches of rain are expected in some areas of southeast Missouri.
Camden County is currently under flood warning until Sunday morning. Officials warn that the farther south you go, the more severe the rain is expected to be.
Forecasters in Kennett predict four to six inches of rain by the end of the weekend. Earlier this week, Missouri Task Force One was sent to Poplar Bluff to help with flood-related emergencies.
“There’s a lot of flooding going on down there,” Boone County Assistant Fire Chief Gale Blomenkamp said. “So, the team was activated last night for a potential water rescue in Van Buren, Missouri. When they arrived in Van Buren, they were held in staging for approximately 45 minutes before being released to travel to Cape County.
Blomenkamp said the team returned to Poplar Bluff late Friday night after no rescues were required in Cape County.
Blomenkamp said the team remained stationed there on Saturday to assist with any potential emergencies.
As of Saturday evening, MoDOT’s traveler map showed multiple road closures across mid-Missouri due to flooding, with the majority of closures concentrated in the state’s southern region.
“I would tell you that if you don’t need to be down there, don’t go down there,” Blomenkamp was saying. “There is a lot of flooding. There are many roads that are closed. We’ve seen video and news footage of washed-out roads and bridges. So, the situation is extremely dangerous. “If you don’t have to be there, don’t go.”
The Camden County Emergency Management Facebook page reported significant damage in several locations. Camden County Road and Bridge crews are expected to begin repair work on Sunday, though it may take several days to complete, according to the post.
State officials are reminding drivers not to attempt to drive through flooded roads.
“Use caution while driving. Do not overdrive your headlights, which means that if you see water on the road at night, you should wait. You should have enough to stop. “So, don’t overdrive your headlights and end up in the water,” Blomenkamp advised.