Flash Flooding in Missouri, July 12, 2000

A north to south band of extremely heavy ran fell in a 6 hour period during the early morning hours of July 12th. Widespread 3 to 6 inch rainfall occurred from just west of Hermitage to Bolivar to Springfield. Isolated rainfall amounts as high as 8 inches were reported in central and southeastern Greene County including the city of Springfield.Most of the serious flood damage occurred in Greene County. Areas along Jordon Creek in Springfield and the James River and it's tributaries in southeast Greene County were the hardest hit. In Springfield, one trailer park was evacuated, 17 apartments, several hotel/motels, and about 35 businesses received damage. Well over 100 homes received damage with 17 sustaining major damage or being destroyed. Numerous homes received basement flooding in Springfield, Turners, and Galloway. A chemical plant was flooded resulting in a hazardous material spill which was quickly contained. The plant suffered an estimated $4 million in damage. Numerous roads were flooded and damaged. The Small Business Administration (SBA) declared Greene County a disaster area. In other areas, the flooding was not as serious, but there were numerous roads closed due to flooding. Overall, road closures were most common in Greene and Polk Counties.