August 20th, 2026 Local News
Iron Co., Mo. (KFMO) - Historic rainfall has triggered widespread flooding across Iron and Reynolds counties Friday morning, prompting numerous water rescues, damaging roads and bridges, and causing widespread power outages.
Officials say around nine inches of rain has fallen across much of Iron County, with reports of more than 12 inches in the southern portion of the county. Reynolds County has received an estimated 12 to 14 inches of rainfall, resulting in dangerous flash flooding throughout the region.
Iron County Sheriff Chuck Helton says emergency crews have been responding to flood-related rescues throughout Friday morning and continued rescuing stranded residents into the late morning hours.
Helton says that, fortunately, everyone emergency responders are aware of has been accounted for.
Among the hardest-hit areas in Iron County are southeast Bixby and the Big Creek community. Sheriff Helton says Iron County emergency personnel also assisted neighboring Reynolds County with water rescues as floodwaters overwhelmed roads and low-lying areas.
Earlier Friday morning, Iron County Presiding Commissioner Jim Scaggs reported that floodwaters had covered numerous county roadways.
As of approximately 10:30 a.m., Sheriff Helton says many roadways have reopened, but significant damage has been left behind.
Helton cautions residents that even though some roads are passable again, conditions remain hazardous and unnecessary travel should be avoided.
Scaggs says the flooding also toppled numerous trees throughout the county, contributing to multiple power outages. He says utility crews are unable to safely restore electrical service in many areas until floodwaters recede and damaged roads become accessible.
Emergency officials continue encouraging residents to monitor local weather conditions, avoid flooded roadways and remain at home unless travel is absolutely necessary while recovery efforts continue.
The National Weather Service is forecasting the Black River at Annapolis to hit Record Flood stage at 28.5' at midnight Saturday, July 11, which is above the record of 27.38' set on November 14, 1993.