Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters airlifted 202 young campers and staff from Camp Taum Sauk Friday as Missouri floods swamped roads, cut off access to the camp and forced widespread emergency response. The Missouri State Highway Patrol released video showing children running to board waiting helicopters; troopers said evacuees were flown to St. Louis for processing and were later reunited with family members.
What happened at Camp Taum Sauk
Camp Taum Sauk, a long-running coed camp near Lesterville in Reynolds County, became isolated as rapidly rising creeks and swollen sections of the Black River flooded low-lying access routes. With ground evacuation routes impassable, local incident commanders requested Army National Guard assistance. Black Hawk helicopters shuttled groups of campers and staff off the site in multiple lifts.
Officials reported 202 people were evacuated — campers typically aged about 8 to 16 and their counselors and support staff. Video from the Missouri State Highway Patrol taken at the scene shows groups of children and counselors moving quickly across wet ground toward the helicopters under the supervision of troopers and county emergency personnel.
Missouri floods: scope and impact
The same storm system produced heavy rainfall across central, south-central and southeastern Missouri. State and local authorities reported roughly 6 to 12 inches of rain in parts of the region, contributing to flash flooding and fast-rising streams. Emergency managers and the Missouri State Highway Patrol said their crews conducted at least 351 swift-water rescues as calls for help surged.
Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency for affected counties to mobilize resources and streamline state support for local response operations. The National Weather Service issued warnings that already saturated soils could accept little additional rainfall and cautioned that an extra 2 to 4 inches of rain remained possible through the weekend, raising the risk of renewed flooding.
How the rescue unfolded
Incident commanders staged helicopters at a secure landing zone once ground routes to Camp Taum Sauk were judged unsafe. Multiple Black Hawks made repeated runs, with air crews lowering harnesses and bringing evacuees aboard. Troopers and Reynolds County 911 Emergency Responders coordinated on the ground, guiding small groups to the aircraft. Officials said the operation prioritized the youngest campers and those in the most vulnerable locations first.
After evacuation, helicopters flew evacuees to St. Louis-area facilities where families were notified and reunifications were conducted under the oversight of local authorities. Camp operators and county officials confirmed everyone who was on site during the rescue was accounted for, and no current fatalities at the camp were reported.
Nearby recreation operators were affected by flooding as well. Bearcat Getaway posted that it would close for the weekend as crews assessed conditions; the operator confirmed via its social accounts that campers and staff on their property were safe and that the closure was temporary while access and safety checks continued.
Local response and community reaction
Camp Taum Sauk posted a thank-you message on its Instagram account, expressing gratitude to the National Guard, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Reynolds County 911 Emergency Responders and area volunteers. “We are beyond thankful for your help keeping our camp community safe,” the camp wrote in its message.
Governor Kehoe issued a statement praising first responders for rapid action, and county leaders thanked volunteers and neighboring communities that opened their doors to displaced families. Local shelters and relief groups coordinated to provide temporary lodging, blankets and food for those impacted by road closures and damaged property.
What families and visitors should know now
Residents and visitors in affected counties are urged to stay alert and follow official channels for updates. The National Weather Service warned of the potential for an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain through the weekend. Officials advised that roads remain dangerous — do not drive through flooded roadways — and to heed evacuation orders when issued.
Families seeking information about evacuated campers should follow Camp Taum Sauk’s official communications and contact local emergency management or the Missouri State Highway Patrol for reunification procedures. Officials also recommended signing up for local emergency alerts and monitoring National Weather Service updates for forecast changes.
Risk note and context
Reported rescue and evacuation figures reflect initial agency tallies and may be adjusted as responders complete counts and damage assessments. There were no reported fatalities tied to the Camp Taum Sauk airlift; past deadly flood incidents in other regions illustrate how quickly floodwaters can become life-threatening, which is why authorities stress caution even after the worst of a storm has passed.
Sources
Agency statements and materials cited in this report include the Missouri State Highway Patrol (video released Friday), the Office of Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe (state of emergency declaration), the National Weather Service (regional rainfall and forecast guidance), Reynolds County emergency officials, and Camp Taum Sauk social media updates. Secondary reporting on the operation is available from contemporary news outlets.
For the most current official information, check the Missouri State Highway Patrol, your county emergency management office, the Governor’s office, and the National Weather Service.
