Recent torrential rain in Missouri has resulted in devastating flash flooding, leading to the tragic deaths of at least five individuals. The severe weather conditions, which included up to 8 inches of rainfall over two days in certain areas of the state, caused widespread flooding and numerous water rescues. This weather system also spawned tornadoes in neighboring states such as Oklahoma and Arkansas.
In Wright County, Missouri, two poll workers lost their lives when their vehicles were swept away by flooding at Beaver Creek early Tuesday morning. The bodies of the 70-year-old man and 73-year-old woman were discovered more than four hours later. Three other individuals in separate vehicles that were also caught in the fast-rising creek managed to swim to safety.
Tragically, two additional deaths were reported in St. Louis County. Emergency responders recovered the body of a woman from a submerged SUV near flooded Gravois Creek, while a man's body was found in the same creek later in the day. Fire crews successfully rescued 10 other individuals from flooded vehicles in the area.
Further south in Ironton, Missouri, state troopers recovered the body of a 66-year-old man after his car was swept off a bridge. The National Weather Service confirmed the touchdown of at least four tornadoes in parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas on the same day, although no fatalities or injuries were reported from these tornadoes.
Authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage caused by the storms in Oklahoma. These weather events occurred shortly after tornadoes caused injuries to several individuals in the Oklahoma City area the previous day. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management collaborated with the State Election Board to ensure that polling places remained operational and unaffected by the severe weather conditions.
