Flash Flood in Bollinger County, Missouri

Significant flash flooding was reported from the Marble Hill area west-southwest along Highway 34 to the county line. Between 40 and 50 homes and businesses were damaged by flooding in the county. Highway 34 was shut down as a nearby creek flowed over it. At one point, 22 county highways and roads were flooded. Several county roadways were washed out, including bridges. Some of the washouts were 8 to 10 feet deep. Flooding occurred at the main bridge in Marble Hill. Sixteen individuals were rescued from floodwaters throughout the county. Up to 6 feet of water was flowing in some locations. Water flowing 3 to 4 feet deep was observed in Marble Hill. Water was in buildings in Glenallen. Close to the Wayne County line, water was into numerous campers at Twin Bridges Park. Significant flooding occurred near the intersection of Highway Y and Highway 34. Water rescues occurred at the Castor River Campground west of Grassy. The two-day rainfall total at the Marble Hill co-op observation site was 5.73 inches, which occurred on the 13th and 14th. Total flood damage to public infrastructure in the county was conservatively estimated at 18.2 million dollars. Some of this total may have occurred in other flash flood events earlier in the month.

A large complex of thunderstorms moved slowly southeast over southeast Missouri, producing torrential downpours. A second complex of storms moved eastward over some of the same areas just before sunrise. The heaviest rainfall amounts were centered over Bollinger County, which suffered very damaging flash flooding. The storms occurred south of a stationary front that extended from east central Missouri to southwest Indiana. A very moist low-level wind flow from the south-southwest fed plenty of moisture into the storms. Precipitable water values were up to 2.25 inches. A weak disturbance in the upper levels of the atmosphere over central Missouri moved east-southeast, helping to foster new storm growth.