Flash Flood — Lincoln, Missouri

2025-07-20 to 2025-07-21 · near Apex, Lincoln, Missouri

$5.0M

Property damage

Event narrative

Heavy rain resulted in 42 water rescues in Lincoln County. The only official report of a road closure was MO-79 at Brownsmill Road where swift moving floodwater was reported. In Elsberry, 50 homes and 20 to 30 businesses were affected by the flooding, and a state of emergency was declared.

Wider weather episode

During the night of July 26th-July 27th, moisture convergence along a low-level jet spurred convection in eastern Missouri. This convection developed in an environment primed for efficient and heavy rainfall. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms trained over Lincoln County, producing flash flooding mainly in Elsberry where a state of emergency was declared. In all, there were 42 water rescues and 70 to 80 homes and businesses were affected. Cost estimates were upward of $5 million.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.1262, -90.8211)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1278127. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.