"Purdy Firefighters responded to five calls for service as part of the multi-agency Swift Water team last night. Two successful rescues were performed. Great partnerships allowed the rescues to be performed with ease due to the increased numbers of trained Swiftwater rescue technicians being placed on the scene." Agencies Involved: Aurora Rural Fire Protection District, Cassville Fire Department, Marionville City Fire Department, Monett Rural Fire District & Missouri Dept. of Conservation Image courtesy Purdy Fire.
Images attributed to different agencies. Upper left Central Crossing Fire Protection and right Purdy Fire Dept.
Big Sugar Creek running high in McDonald County near Powell
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NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — Heavy rains across the region have affected small creeks as many have swollen outside their banks. Two water rescues overnight where conditions make it harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.
Courtesy Central Crossing Fire.
RESCUE 1: 2:12am in Barry County, Mo. "Central Crossing Fire crews were dispatched to a vehicle stuck in flood water with one occupant trapped. The recently formed County Wide Swift Water Team was requested, MO Department of Conservation and Barry County Sheriff's Office responded. Members of the Swift Water Team made access to the vehicle and assisted the occupant out of the water without issue. Our thanks to all involved as well as our 911 dispatchers."
RESCUE 2: 3:20 a.m. Friday, March 24, 2023, reports of a motorist stranded in waters near Stella. The motorist was on top of his vehicle along State Route D, the rain-swollen South Indian Creek near Ozark Street.
Water Rescue near Stella, Mo.
McDonald County Water Rescue requested assistance from Redings Mill Swift Water Rescue Team as back up.
4:56 a.m. “McDonald County has got the subject out of the water.” — Newton County Deputy
"Purdy Firefighters responded to five calls for service as part of the multi-agency Swift Water team last night. Two successful rescues were performed. Great partnerships allowed the rescues to be performed with ease due to the increased numbers of trained Swiftwater rescue technicians being placed on the scene." Agencies Involved: Aurora Rural Fire Protection District, Cassville Fire Department, Marionville City Fire Department, Monett Rural Fire District & Missouri Dept. of Conservation Image courtesy Purdy Fire.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: “Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Many flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.”
The National Weather Service in Springfield has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the following until daylight.
Northern Barry County
McDonald County
Southeastern Newton County
Some locations with flash flooding include... Neosho, Monett, Pineville, Granby, Anderson, Noel, Goodman, Purdy, South West City, Powell, Rocky Comfort, Pleasant Ridge and Big Sugar Creek State Park.
This includes the following low water crossings...
Butler Creek at Kings Highway
Little Sugar Creek at Skaggs Hollow Road
North Indian Creek at Orchid Drive
Hickory Creek at Coler RD
Elkhorn Creek at Highway CC
Buffalo Creek at Klondike Road
Shoal Creek at Farm Road 2110
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
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Shannon Becker was born and raised in Joplin and began in radio before graduating from Joplin Senior High in 1990. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Missouri Southern State University (1994). Before launching Joplin News First in 2017, he worked in television and radio, overlapping a career in the music industry. He worked with major music artists for 20 years, garnering gold and platinum records to his credit. He comes to KOAM 7 News Now-CBS/FOX (Morgan-Murphy Media) with more than 30 years in media and entertainment. He previously worked for KOAM. He has five children and two grandchildren.
