Ten inches of rain overnight causes widespread flash flooding prompting numerous rescues, evacuations

ELSBERRY – Dozens of people were rescued boat and several homes evacuated after a 10-inch rainfall caused widespread flash flooding early Sunday morning in Elsberry.

Officials declared a state of emergency for the community.

According to Quentin Laws, Lincoln County emergency management director, Elsberry received up to 10 inches of rainfall overnight and damage is still being assessed. A city and county emergency have been declared and search and rescue operations have been terminated.  

“Everyone has been accounted for,” he said. “We had no fatalities, no injuries and no missing persons. We rescued about 40 people from water in their houses and, and cars. Right now the city is setting up an operation center in their city hall and they are going to be handing out water and cleaning supplies as soon as the residents can get back into their houses.”

For now, the best thing that the people of Lincoln County can do according to Laws is to avoid driving into the area.  

“We’re having problems of people who are not residents of Elsberry driving in and not knowing the area and then driving into the water. The best thing is to not be out right now. That is the most helpful. Then starting this afternoon and tomorrow we’ll have a better idea of what’s needed. Then we’ll be able to broadcast that out,” Laws said.  

Elsberry Alderman Justin Bange reiterated Laws’ request to avoid the area if possible.

“Please refrain from driving up and down Broadway only to need to turn around,” he stated in a Facebook post. “It is causing issues in traffic and if the first responders need to get through this could cause a delay in an emergency.”

A 10-inch rainfall Saturday and Sunday caused widespread flash flooding in Elsberry.

He also urged residents to stay out of the water for fears of possible contamination, while adding the Methodist Church is going to serve as a center point for assistance. Red Cross officials are en route and will be setting up there to provide help.

“Hot meals can be found at the Methodist Church hall,” he said. “We have multiple generous donations from many food trucks, businesses and vendors from across the area that will all be at the Methodist Church at the Red Cross ‘Base Camp.'”

Anyone who wants to donate items can drop them off there and at the Senate Theatre, which is also open for residents to use as a temporary shelter.

Both the theatre and Southern Grace Coffee are providing free food and drinks to first responders as well.

Debbie Wentz of Elsberry is counting her blessings after last night’s flooding that impacted Highway 79 and the city limits of Elsberry. 

“I think we are pretty lucky,” she said referring to Missouri Marine and Auto Sales, that she and her husband Ray own. “We got all our cars up to higher ground so none of them are flooded.

We have to assess if any equipment got damaged, but definitely we are not destroyed.”

Flooding inside Missouri Marine, one of several businesses and residences affected. (Photo courtesy of Debbie Wentz)

Laws said he is not sure if anyone could have been fully prepared for this flood but first responders and emergency services were as prepared as they could be by and Elsberry Mayor Steve Welch was on scene last night.

“I think they did as good of a job as possibly expected during something as crazy as this,” he said.