Heavy Rain Sweeps Through Lakes Region

The system that brings relief from the heat also brought devastating rain to the Lakes Region.

Showers and thunderstorms began moving through the region early Wednesday morning and by the time the skies cleared in the afternoon, general areas of seven to eight inches of rain had fallen with even higher amounts in parts of Arkansas. 

One area that sustained significant damage in the rain was in areas of Marion County around Flippin and Yellville. National Weather Reports indicate some areas received over 11 inches of rain in a few hours. According to a story by KTLO, Yellville Mayor Shawn Lane classifies this as a "100-Year-Flood" observing that water levels had risen above a sign marking the water level of a flood in the 1920's. Lane told KTLO that many downtown businesses had at least a foot of water in the buildings and also noted water running down Highway 14 directly into Crooked Creek. 

Marion County Judge Jason Stumph provides an update to KTLO, saying that patients of the Creekside Nursing Home were transferred to the Marion County Fairgrounds when the facility flooded. Stumph added that one county road, 8060, would remained closed until the bridged washout at that location can be replaced. Stumph said he was not aware of injuries due to the flood but several people did have to be removed from their homes by Swift Water Rescue Teams after some homes floated down a creek. Stumph added he has already contacted both state and federal officials about declaring a State of Emergency.  

Ozarks First Rain Projections indicate around 18 inches of rain fell in areas of northeastern Searcy County near Harriet. 

One of the hardest hit areas of the Missouri Lakes Region was Hollister, with several businesses along Turkey Creek getting flooded. City Administrator Rick Ziegenfuss, during an interview on KRZK's "Ozarks Now" program, that the Turkey Creek level, normally two feet, rose to over 14 feet in about a half hour that caused major damages to buildings along the creek from St. James Street to Business 65. Ziegenfuss added that Business 65 itself was closed for a time as was other streets in the city. Two mobile home parks also had to be evacuate due to the flooding. 

Part of Highway 76 east of the roundabout connecting Hollister and Branson, collapsed forcing traffic to reduce to one lane. Ziegenfuss said the Missouri Department of Transportation is working to fill that area that collapsed and motorist should plan on extra time while that work is being done. 

The full interview with Rick Ziegenfuss is below:

Other social media posts showed pictures of flooding in the downtown area plus at McDonalds on Gage Drive adjacent to Highway 65.

Several roads also closed in Branson for a time due to the heavy rain. Branson Emergency Management Director Ted Martin, during a press conference carried on the "Ozarks Now" Facebook page, said the city did not sustain much damage, though same roads will need extra clean-up due to the gravel on the road. Martin did say Stockstill Park will be closed as water from Roark Creek recedes. 

The National Weather Service also reports continued elevated water levels in Bull Creek north of Branson. 

Rain has exited the region with the next chance of rain in the forecast for Sunday.