Catastrophic flooding has triggered a state of emergency across parts of Missouri after what forecasters described as a ‘once-in-a-millennium’ rainfall sent rivers surging to historic levels, collapsing buildings, stranding families and forcing dramatic rescues from the fast-moving floodwaters.

Thousands have been placed under a flash flood emergency by the National Weather Service with emergency crews having already carried out more than 90 water rescues, according to the Reynolds County sheriff’s office.

Relentless thunderstorms dumped between six and 12 inches of rain near the Black River in southeastern Missouri, inundating roads, campgrounds and communities.

Officials warned the danger was far from over on Friday evening, with rivers continuing to rise and additional flooding expected in the coming hours. The river rose to an all-time high of 28.7 feet during the day on Friday.

Among the most dramatic rescues, around 20 people had to be pulled to safety after a building at the Bearcat Getaway campground near the Black River collapsed beneath them, sending campers into the raging waters. 

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Eddie Young said the group had climbed onto the structure before it gave way, forcing emergency responders to rescue them from the flood.

The extreme weather also endangered first responders. During one rescue mission, a Missouri State Highway Patrol boat became entangled in a submerged line.

The two troopers aboard were forced to abandon the vessel and enter the floodwaters before both safely made it ashore without injury.

Campters at Franklin Floats Campgrounds in Lesterville were forced to scramble onto the roof of parked SUVs in order to avoid being swept away by the floods on Friday

Some were able to wait it out in inflatable boats the campers normally use on the boating lake

Homes in Lesterville were underwater after historic flooding on Friday

More than 90 water rescues were carried out in Reynolds County, Missouri, as flash flooding overwhelmed the area. Joe Holt took this video from the air

The Missouri State Highway Patrol were forced to deploy on inflatables 

Scary scenes unfolded when one of the Missouri Highway Patrol’s rescue boats became entangled in a submerged line

The floods came after several inches of rain fell overnight on Thursday and into the morning across a long swath of central and eastern Missouri. 

The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings as thunderstorms piled on the area one after another, explained Matt Beitscher, a lead meteorologist with the NWS office in St. Louis.

‘It’s very, very popular place for recreation,’ said Beitscher of the affected counties.

‘So there are campgrounds there. There are float trip locations there. A lot of vulnerable populations that would be susceptible to flash flooding.’ 

Dozens were evacuated from multiple campgrounds along the Black River in Lesterville. Some people were forced to climb trees to escape rising floodwaters.

One photo saw a family’s camper van lying on its side as the strength of the waters tossed it aside. 

Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency as the crisis escalated, activating one of Missouri’s urban search-and-rescue teams while National Guard helicopters were dispatched to reach residents cut off by floodwaters.

The two troopers on board were forced to abandon their boat, but fortunately, both made it to safety and were not injured

The area is home to many campgrounds and recreational areas – many were deluged by the flood

Part of a Lesterville campground looked to be underwater after the floodwaters came

Several inches of overnight rain left campers and motorists stranded across central and eastern Missouri

Roads were turned into rivers as raging floodwaters swept through the area

Many homes in Annapolis, Missouri were completely cut off by the floodwaters

A family reunification center has also been set up.

Several major roads became impassable, and authorities established a family reunification center as rescue operations continued.

Joe Holt took video of flooding in Lesterville. Footage from the air saw several major roads made impassable due to flooding and damage.

Houses were also flooded in Annapolis, Missouri as rising waters from the creek washed over roads and bridges. 

Meteorologists described the deluge as a ‘once-in-a-millennium’ rainfall event, warning that swollen rivers would continue rising even after the rain eased, raising fears that the worst flooding may still be ahead.

Roads were completely deluged by the rising floodwaters making many routes impassable 

The Mayor of Annapolis warned that the flash floods could come and go without warning

One family’s camper van was tossed aside like a toy by the raging floodwaters

Many homes in Lesterville are no longer inhabitable after they was deluged by the floods

The roof of a truck can be seen on the left of this photo, while a home is completely cut off by the floods

The walls of one structure were stripped away by the floodwaters

Parkland was turned into a lake as the Black River in Lesterville burst its banks

Roads became entirely impassable as the floodwaters spread wherever they could 

Parts of southeastern Missouri have already picked up at least 12.25 inches of rain since Thursday.

The Missouri Department of Transportation Southeast District said Highway 21 in Reynolds County sustained major damage because of the flooding and would be closed until further notice.

There is still a risk of flash flooding early into next week as the weather front continues to move slowly south and east, reports Fox Weather.