Dramatic images show the devastation of Lesterville flooding
Captured by residents, campers, and First Alert 4 crews
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Residents and campers, along with our First Alert 4 crews, have captured powerful images as flood waters began to devastate the Lesterville area in Reynolds County, Missouri.
It was in the early morning darkness, as flood waters began to rise, that some campers had to suddenly flee, driving through deep water to try to get to safety. Tim Hadler, the brother of our photographer Mark Hadler, who had been camping at Twin Rivers Campground in Lesterville, shared video from their vehicle as they drove through deep water to escape.
Continuing Coverage
Daylight revealed the depth of the danger. Rescue crews and boats rushed in as floodwater rose rapidly, overtaking homes and trapping 47 people in a Lesterville area campground.
Resident Joann Franklin captured these images of people having to climb onto the top of a vehicle in rising water. Her camera captured emergency crews as they rescued the stranded residents and brought them safely to shore.
A viewer in Lesterville shared video of a camper floating away in the river, as photos came in of streets submerged in water and cars left abandoned.
In Park Hills in St. Francis County, Leigha Bullock shared photos, saying she had been up all night driving around her neighborhood, capturing shots of water rising on vehicles, flooding roadways and the yards of homes, and a man having to wade through kneehigh water, as residents began to discover the devastation.
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