Black Hawks rescue 202 campers from Missouri flood zone

When floodwaters from the Black River surrounded Camp Taum Sauk on Friday, 202 campers and counselors needed a way out fast. Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters answered the call.

Video footage captured children ages 8 to 16 running to waiting helicopters as rescuers worked against rising waters in Reynolds County, Missouri. The dramatic airlift brought everyone safely to St. Louis for reunions with worried families.

The rescue was part of a massive emergency response after storms dumped up to 12 inches of rain across central and southern Missouri. First responders performed at least 351 swift water rescues across the flooded region.

Camp Taum Sauk, a historic coed camp operating since 1946 in Lesterville, thanked the National Guard and local emergency teams on social media Saturday. The 125-mile evacuation to St. Louis went off without a single injury.

Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency as emergency crews worked around the clock. Nearby Bearcat Getaway campground also evacuated safely and closed for the weekend.

The Bright Side

This rescue shows what coordinated emergency response looks like at its best. National Guard pilots, local 911 teams, highway patrol officers, and community members worked together seamlessly to protect vulnerable young people.

The successful operation stands in sharp contrast to similar flooding events. Last summer's Guadalupe River flood in Texas claimed 135 lives, including 28 at an all-girls camp, making Friday's zero-casualty rescue even more remarkable.

Missouri's first responders earned praise from the governor for their professionalism and courage. Emergency teams stayed ahead of the danger, getting campers out before conditions became life threatening.

Weather forecasters warn saturated soil could see another 2 to 4 inches of rain through the weekend, keeping rescue crews on alert. But for 202 families, the weekend began with grateful reunions instead of tragedy.