Flash Flood Warning Issued for Southeastern Missouri Counties Through Saturday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued a Flash Flood Warning for portions of east central and southeastern Missouri. The alert was issued at 4:08 AM CST on March 7, 2026, after Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the region. The warning is classified as a severe threat with immediate urgency.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions in Missouri:

• Southeastern Crawford County (East Central MO)
• Southern Washington County (East Central MO)
• Northern Iron County (Southeastern MO)
• North Central Reynolds County (Southeastern MO)

Specific locations expected to experience flash flooding include Potosi, Pilot Knob, Viburnum, Irondale, Courtois, Bixby, Belleview, Caledonia, Belgrade, Davisville, Dillard, and Granite. The warning also encompasses Elephant Rocks State Park and the Dillard Mill Historic Site.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the warned area are advised to “Turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads. Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Officials urge extra caution at night when the dangers of flooding are significantly harder to recognize. The NWS recommends avoiding small creeks, streams, and low-lying areas where drainage is poor.

Expected Conditions

According to radar indicators, between 2 and 3 inches of rain have already fallen in the affected area. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible. Flash flooding is currently ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Hazards include the flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses, and other low-lying zones.

Timeline

The Flash Flood Warning is effective immediately as of 4:08 AM CST and is scheduled to remain in effect until 9:00 AM CST on Saturday, March 7, 2026.