Heavy rain on Thursday evening caused flash floods in parts of central and north-central Missouri. Several areas, including cities and villages, saw up to 3 inches of rainfall, leading to waterlogged roads and rising floodwaters near homes and businesses.
Flash Flood Warning in Several Counties
The National Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill issued a Flash Flood Warning for five counties—Saline, Carroll, Chariton, Lafayette, and southeastern Ray. The warning is expected to stay in effect until after midnight, around 12:15 a.m. on Friday.
Radar showed constant and heavy rainfall over towns like Marshall, Higginsville, Lexington, and Carrollton. This led to overflowing of small creeks, water on city roads, and flooding in low-lying areas like underpasses.
Roads Covered in Water, Vehicles Stalled
In towns like Marshall and Odessa, emergency workers had to respond quickly. Some parts of major roads like U.S. Highway 65 and Main Street were underwater. Vehicles got stuck near low areas, and traffic was affected.
Rural roads between Concordia, Waverly, and Sweet Springs were also flooded and couldn’t be used. In towns like Higginsville and Norborne, schools and local businesses were keeping a close watch as water levels were rising near parking spaces and basements.
Safety Advice from Authorities
The Weather Service has strongly advised people to avoid driving through flooded areas. Even a few inches of water can make a car lose control or stall. Their simple advice is: “Turn around, don’t drown.” This is especially important at night when it’s harder to see flooded roads.
More Rain Could Come
There is a chance that more rain may fall later in the night. If that happens, the risk of flash flooding could increase. New warnings or alerts may be announced if storms return or if rainfall becomes heavier. People are advised to stay alert, listen to weather updates, and move important items to higher places in their homes.
Flash floods can happen quickly and without much warning. In Missouri, heavy rainfall caused serious trouble on both city and rural roads, making it risky for travel and dangerous for low-lying homes and shops. It’s important to take these warnings seriously, avoid flooded roads, and stay safe. As rain may continue overnight, everyone in the affected areas should be ready for updates and avoid unnecessary travel until the weather clears.
