Flash Flood in Missouri, May 7, 2000

A thunderstorm complex dropped up to 14 inches of rain on Franklin County from about Midnight to 6 am causing the worst flash flooding in county history. The rain fell at a rate of 3 inches an hour from about 2 to 3 am. A joint Federal-State Damage Assessment Team conducted for individual assistance determined that 98 structures were destroyed, 68 suffered major damage, 181 minor damage, and another 32 affected. Only 11% of the affected residences had insurance coverage. Greater than 60% of the families and individuals affected were in the low income bracket. Over 50 roads were closed at various times due to flooding. Almost every stream and creek in the county overflowed their banks. The worst flooding was in Union, MO. Flat Creek rose an estimated 15 feet and completely destroyed 2 mobile home parks. Miraculously, no one was killed in the parks as emergency workers acted quickly to evacuate the residents just before the major flooding started. 2 people were killed due to the flooding, both in vehicles. A 19 year-old female was killed when her van flipped over after driving into a flooded road. 6 other people in the van managed to escape. A 67 year-old man was killed near St. Clair when he tried to drive through a flooded low-water crossing. On the west side of Washington, MO. St. John's Creek rose an estimated 15 to 20 feet and caused major damage at the Industrial Park on the west side of town. About 2 dozen homes on the east side of town suffered flooded basements due to flooding from DuBouis and Busch Creeks. In St. Clair, the sewage treatment facility was damaged by a flooding Happy Sac Creek.