Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency on Friday in response to severe storms and widespread flash flooding across the state's central, south-central, and south-eastern regions. The Missouri state emergency operations plan was activated under this order.

"Over the past 24 hours, intense storms have created dangerous flash flooding across several regions of Missouri, resulting in multiple swift-water rescues," Kehoe said. "Activating the plan allows our agencies to move quickly, coordinate resources, and support local response efforts."

"I'm grateful for every first responder and local team member working around the clock to help save lives," Kehoe said. "If you're camping, floating, or spending time near rivers and streams, move to higher ground and stay alert of weather conditions. Missourians should continue to monitor local forecasts and follow the guidance of local authorities."

Some areas in Missouri have received between 6 to 12 inches of rain. The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Flash Flood Emergency for parts of Iron and Reynolds counties on Friday. Flash flood warnings were also in effect for parts of Iron, Reynolds, Andrew, Madison, Washington, Buchanan, Crawford, Clinton, DeKalb, and Holt counties as of Friday afternoon.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, State Emergency Management Agency, Division of Fire Safety, Missouri State Parks, and Missouri Department of Conservation are responding in affected areas. The state's task force has been deployed with 50 members, specialized equipment, and rescue boats.

"The flash flood risk is increasing across south-eastern Missouri into the Tennessee Valley for this evening into the overnight hours as rounds of heavy rainfall fall over saturated soils," the NWS stated. "Numerous flash floods are likely." The NWS office in St. Louis reported that thunderstorms produced between 6 and 12 inches of rain from Thursday night into early Friday morning. "Additional rainfall is expected in the same area through tonight, and a flood watch remains in effect." The NWS Kansas City office noted, "Damaging winds and heavy rainfall are the primary threats, but hail and a brief tornado cannot be ruled out." They added, "Storms will be efficient producers of torrential rainfall that could lead to flooding." Flooding had previously occurred in Crawford County, Missouri, on July 9.