Missouri, 1997

Flash Flooding in Missouri, August 19, 1997

August 19, 1997 · NWS SGF · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

A large complex of thunderstorms produced 3 to 5 inches of rain in a band from just north of Nevada to near Rolla. The previous three weeks had been very dry across the region, so flooding problems were minor.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 8 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
8

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS SGF wrote it up.

A large complex of thunderstorms produced 3 to 5 inches of rain in a band from just north of Nevada to near Rolla. The previous three weeks had been very dry across the region, so flooding problems were minor.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Benton

When
August 19, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Benton County, 3 mi N of Fristoe
Coordinates
38.295, -93.288 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Turkey Creek rose out of its banks flooding a part of Highway 7.

Flash Flood, St. Clair

When
August 19, 6:00 AM CST
Where
St. Clair County, Taberville
Coordinates
38.037, -93.776 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Highway A was briefly flooded.

Flash Flood, Camden

When
August 19, 7:00 AM CST
Where
Camden County, Camdenton
Coordinates
38.027, -92.766 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flooding was reported at the county courthouse.

Flash Flood, Laclede

When
August 19, 7:00 AM CST
Where
Laclede County, 5 mi E of Lebanon
Coordinates
37.658, -92.590 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Highway 32 was briefly flooded along the Osage Fork River.

Flash Flood, Maries

When
August 19, 7:00 AM CST
Where
Maries County, 2 mi W of Vienna
Coordinates
38.162, -91.925 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Minor flooding occurred along Highway 42.

Flash Flood, Miller

When
August 19, 7:00 AM CST
Where
Miller County, 3 mi S of Iberia
Coordinates
38.215, -92.428 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Highway 17 was briefly flooded near the intersection of Highway K.

Flash Flood, Pulaski

When
August 19, 7:00 AM CST
Where
Pulaski County, Waynesville
Coordinates
37.825, -92.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flooding of low water crossings and low lying areas occurred in many areas of the county. Street flooding was reported in Waynesville.

Flash Flood, Hickory

When
August 19, 11:00 AM CST
Where
Hickory County, 4 mi SW of Preston
Coordinates
37.941, -93.321 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Brief flooding occurred along Crane Creek.

What these are

Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Missouri in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Missouri, August 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5610074, 5610489, 5610490, 5610491, 5610492, 5610493, 5610494, 5610495.