1 unaccounted for in Webster County as emergency crews conduct water rescue

WEBSTER COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) - A water rescue team in Webster County, Missouri, is searching for a woman missing after her vehicle was swept away by floodwaters.

Several crews, including the Logan Rogersville Fire Protection District, were sent to the Finley River Crossing on Route Z south of Fordland for a water rescue at 11 p.m.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, one male and one female were saved from the water Thursday night. The male was taken to the hospital to be checked out as a precaution.

Officials say that the search for a female that is unaccounted for was suspended at 2:30 a.m. due to poor conditions. The search will resume sometime between 8 and 9 a.m. Crews plan put boats in the water and have rescuers along the river searching until there is a rescue or recovery.

This is a developing situation. We’ll bring you the latest updates as we learn more.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Mike McClure said this seems to happen every year.

“Time and time and time again, turn around, don’t Drown, but yet this happens every spring, it seems like,” said Sgt. McClure.

Sgt. Mike McClure said in Fordland, a vehicle tried to cross a bridge covered with floodwater.

“Two of them had gotten out and got on top of the roof of the car. A third one also got out and join them on the roof of the car. One fell off, and the other one swam to shore,” said Sgt. McClure.

McClure said a woman in her mid-50s started to float downstream.

At the time, the water was above the five-foot mark.

Plus it was dark, and the people may not have known the area well.

“Swift moving water and the deeper the water is, the more momentum it’s going to have, and more energy is going to have to carry that vehicle downstream,” said Sgt. McClure.

He said regardless if you know the area, don’t take the chance of going over moving water.

“It’s been raining hard, and those areas that we’re familiar with are going to be inundated with flash flood waters at low areas where we would typically cross turn around,” said Sgt. McClure.

He said when crossing any rainwater, use common sense.

“If you can stay with the vehicle, stay with the vehicle,” said Sgt. McClure. “If it is not moving and it’s stable, and if you need to get on the roof, but stay with it.”

Search crews include state troopers and Webster County deputies.

Earlier, it was the Logan-Rogersville fire, Battlefield fire, and Webster fire teams.

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