Flash Flood — Madison, Missouri

1999-04-03 · near Countywide, Madison, Missouri

Wider weather episode

The worst flooding in Madison County history struck the morning of April 3, 1999. Rainfall of 6 to 10 inches fell primarily during a 2 hour period resulting in flash flooding throughout the county. The county was declared a Federal Disaster Area. At least 200 homes were either destroyed or suffered major damage as did about 30 businesses. Numerous livestock were also killed in the rural areas of the county. The city of Fredericktown was hard hit as Saline Creek, which normally has only a trickle of water in it, became a raging river over 200 yards wide in places. Rural areas along the St. Francis and Castor Rivers also were hit hard. The American Red Cross and the Salavation Army assisted residents of the county with temporary housing, feeding and cleaning supplies. At one point, over 400 meals a day were provided to storm victims. The flash flooding washed out and damaged numerous county roads, preventing access to several parts of the county. The Missouri Department of Corrections and the Missouri Department of Conversation provided bulldozers, heavy equipment and personnel to open closed roads. Several rescues had to be done by various law enforcement and emergency personnel as the rapidly rising water quickly isolated people. There was one death due to the flooding. A 12 year-old boy was electrocuted as water rushed inside a business shorting out the electrical system.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5698500. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.