By: weather.com
Published: August 6,2013
WAYNESVILLE, Mo. — A young child drowned, several people were rescued
and dozens of others were forced out of their homes after flash
flooding in south-central Missouri early Tuesday.
The body of a child — believed to be between the ages of 4 and 6 — was found early Tuesday near Mitchell Creek on the west side of Waynesville, Pulaski County Sheriff Ron Long said.
The child apparently had been in a vehicle that got caught in the flooding, Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Dan Crain said. Authorities did not immediately release the gender or name of the child.
(MORE: Where Too Much Drought Relief Is a Bad Thing)
Local officials estimated that 50 or more homes were flooded in Waynesville as the Mitchell and Robidoux creeks rose after several inches of rain fell after midnight. Crain also said several people were still unaccounted for Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service said more than 7 inches of rain fell at Fort Leonard Wood, which is near Waynesville, from midnight to mid-Tuesday morning. About one-third of Missouri's counties were under flood watches or warnings, mainly in southwestern and south-central Missouri.
"It was a classic setup," said weather.com senior meteorologist Jon Erdman. "A cluster of thunderstorms fired up overnight over the Show-Me State, parking in place for a sufficient period of time to produce inundating rain in parts of the state."
Waynesville Mayor Luge Hardman said the floodwaters had torn loose several propane tanks and affected a public school. She said residents also were bracing for flooding from the Gasconade River.
"It is raining, and we are expecting more rain this afternoon so we're kind of scared of what's coming," Hardman told The Associated Press.
Long told The Springfield News-Leader that the floodwaters submerged houses, trailer courts and cars.
"We have done many high-water rescues and many other rescues. We have even rescued our rescuers. It has been a very hairy evening here," Long told the newspaper. "It is not over yet. It is just daylight, so the hard work has begun."
Crain said the Highway Patrol was among several agencies that responded with rescue boats. He said U.S. Army personnel from Fort Leonard Wood were on standby.
The Missouri Department of Transportation has closed several area roads because of high water.
The body of a child — believed to be between the ages of 4 and 6 — was found early Tuesday near Mitchell Creek on the west side of Waynesville, Pulaski County Sheriff Ron Long said.
The child apparently had been in a vehicle that got caught in the flooding, Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Dan Crain said. Authorities did not immediately release the gender or name of the child.
(MORE: Where Too Much Drought Relief Is a Bad Thing)
Local officials estimated that 50 or more homes were flooded in Waynesville as the Mitchell and Robidoux creeks rose after several inches of rain fell after midnight. Crain also said several people were still unaccounted for Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service said more than 7 inches of rain fell at Fort Leonard Wood, which is near Waynesville, from midnight to mid-Tuesday morning. About one-third of Missouri's counties were under flood watches or warnings, mainly in southwestern and south-central Missouri.
"It was a classic setup," said weather.com senior meteorologist Jon Erdman. "A cluster of thunderstorms fired up overnight over the Show-Me State, parking in place for a sufficient period of time to produce inundating rain in parts of the state."
Waynesville Mayor Luge Hardman said the floodwaters had torn loose several propane tanks and affected a public school. She said residents also were bracing for flooding from the Gasconade River.
"It is raining, and we are expecting more rain this afternoon so we're kind of scared of what's coming," Hardman told The Associated Press.
Long told The Springfield News-Leader that the floodwaters submerged houses, trailer courts and cars.
"We have done many high-water rescues and many other rescues. We have even rescued our rescuers. It has been a very hairy evening here," Long told the newspaper. "It is not over yet. It is just daylight, so the hard work has begun."
Crain said the Highway Patrol was among several agencies that responded with rescue boats. He said U.S. Army personnel from Fort Leonard Wood were on standby.
The Missouri Department of Transportation has closed several area roads because of high water.
Flooding Swamps Missouri Towns
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RT @brandonbeckky3: Pulaski County Sheriff confirms one person has died in this morning's flooding in Waynesville. 60-80 homes flooded. -
Waynesville, MO flooding #mowx RT @kytv: PHOTO from KY3 viewer Phyllis Boggs behind Waynesville Middle School. pic.twitter.com/0BXD8nMGNI -
Prayers for friends and family in Pulaski county, this flooding is unreal. #needacanoe -
PHOTO: Person rescued, taken to Waynesville shelter by deputy. pic.twitter.com/44lkqI38KC. via/@kytv -
Major #flood problems in south central MO, Pulaski County in particular after massive rainfall floods Gasconade River & Roubidoux Creek. -
Below is a 24-hour radar rainfall estimate over central Missouri ending at 7:05 a.m. CT on Aug. 6. The pink/white stripe indicates the heaviest rainfall. Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. picked up 5.50" of rain after midnight, and a storm total of 7.30".
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The photo below is courtesy of the Pulaski County Daily News (PCDN). According to PCDN's Darrell Todd Maurina, the big problem was floating propane tanks. Maurina says most of Waynesville's utility trucks were caught in the flood. Only two were saved.
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Below is a graph of the water level of Roubidoux Creek near Waynesville, Mo. from Aug. 6, 2013. The creek rose over 16 feet in just over 13 hours, due to the torrential rain to a new record level. As you can see below, the "normal" stage of the creek prior to the weekend was only 1 foot. The absolute definition of a "flash flood". A photo of the "creek" during the flood is shown below the graph.
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The infrared satellite image below, taken at 5:31 a.m. CT on August 6, 2013, shows a classic "mesoscale convective system" over the Show-Me State. This satellite signature, resembling a sunny-side-up egg, indicates a cluster of thunderstorms, in this case, responsible for the Missouri flash flooding.
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Radar estimates 4-9 inches of rainfall since midnight around Waynesville, MO. Flash Flood Emergency. Swift water rescues underway @NewDay -
Flooded football field at Waynesville Jr. High and 6th grade learning center pic.twitter.com/JtEf7FusoS -
The amazing rainfall contrast this summer compared to the drought-plagued summer of 2012. The stats below are through August 5, 2013.
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