Missouri Task Force 1 Nears End of Flood Response Mission in Southeast Missouri

Missouri Task Force 1 Nears End of Flood Response Mission in Southeast Missouri

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. — After spending the past several days helping communities devastated by historic flooding in southeast Missouri, Missouri Task Force 1 is preparing to wrap up its mission and head home.

The urban search and rescue team, sponsored by the Boone County Fire Protection District, has been assisting emergency response efforts in Reynolds and Iron counties since Friday.

Working from sunrise to sunset, search crews have systematically checked flood-damaged homes, campers and vehicles for anyone who may have needed help. Using boats and traveling on foot, responders searched miles of flooded waterways and surrounding areas while also checking on residents who remained on higher ground.

Despite working through extreme heat, high humidity and constantly changing conditions, the team completed primary searches of more than 100 damaged structures, 90 damaged campers and 120 damaged vehicles during the deployment.

In addition to the search and rescue effort, the district's Disaster Situational Assessment and Reconnaissance (DSAR) team provided critical aerial support. Using drones and geographic mapping technology, the team surveyed more than 1,500 acres and captured over 6,000 assessment images. Those maps and aerial images helped incident commanders track flood damage, prioritize response efforts and direct resources where they were needed most.

Fire Chief Doug Westhoff said the deployment highlights the purpose of Missouri Task Force 1.

"We're proud to have had the opportunity to assist our fellow Missourians during this historic flooding event," Westhoff said. "When communities call for help, that's exactly what Missouri Task Force 1 was built to do."

Throughout the mission, Boone County firefighters said they were met with strong support from local officials, emergency responders and residents in the flood-stricken communities, calling it an example of Missouri's mutual aid system at work.

Missouri Task Force 1 is expected to complete its assignment and return to Boone County on Monday, pending any final requests from local officials and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency.