Torrential rainfall between 9 and 13 inches fell in a 48-hour period, causing major to record flooding of rivers.

Flood in WAYNE, MISSOURI
From 18-MAR-08 04:00:00 to 23-MAR-08 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SILVA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Moderate flooding of the St. Francis River occurred. At the gage near Patterson, the river crested at 30.82 feet on March 19 at 11:15 A.M. CDT. Flood stage there is 16 feet, and moderate flooding begins at 25 feet. This flood crest ranked as the fifth highest in close to 100 years of records. Considerable flooding of low-lying areas occurred.

Flood in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 18-MAR-08 06:00:00 to 22-MAR-08 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: POPLAR BLUFF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Record flooding of the Black River occurred. At the Poplar Bluff gage, the river crested at 22.15 feet on March 19 at 4:30 P.M. CDT. The previous record crest was 21.68 feet in December of 1982. Flood stage there is 16 feet, and major flooding begins at 21 feet. Hundreds of homes were inundated, and the river even flooded parts of the downtown area. Residents were evacuated in south and east Poplar Bluff. Boats were used to evacuate many stranded residents. U.S. Coast Guard boats and helicopters from as far away as New Orleans assisted in evacuation efforts. The helicopters airlifted 37 people and six dogs to safety. Flood gates were installed for the first time since a flood wall was built in 1997. The flood gates offer protection up to 23 feet. Levee breaks were responsible for a considerable amount of the flooding in and around Poplar Bluff. The vast majority of the flooded homes and businesses were on the south and east sides of Poplar Bluff. At least five levee breaches occurred, resulting in many water-covered farms.  Highway 53 was closed due to a levee break southeast of Poplar Bluff. Evacuation shelters were set up in Poplar Bluff. At least 100 victims stayed in a shelter at the Black River Coliseum in downtown Poplar Bluff. U.S. Highway 60 was closed when the river overflowed the four-lane highway west of the bridge. The community of Hilliard was severely impacted, where even the upper level of at least one home was under water. Some county roads were scoured down to bedrock. A large electric substation along U.S. Highway 67 was shut down by the river flooding.

Flood in CARTER, MISSOURI
From 18-MAR-08 10:00:00 to 20-MAR-08 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VAN BUREN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.70M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Moderate flooding of the Current River occurred. At the Van Buren gage, the river crested at 25.71 feet on March 20 at 1 A.M. CDT. Flood stage there is 20 feet, and moderate flooding begins at 23 feet. This flood crest ranked as the fifth highest crest in over 100 years of records. Some flooding occurred in low sections of Van Buren. Water flowing from Factory Hollow and Walker Hollow contributed to the flooding in Van Buren. About a half dozen homes homes were flooded in Van Buren and southeast of town. The water depth in the homes was generally eight inches or less. Sandbagging protected some homes and businesses, and a local hotel assisted with sheltering. The library was flooded to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Floodwaters reached the back door of the Carter County courthouse. Sandbags were placed around the courthouse and the new justice center. Water was pumped out of the justice center. The river rose almost to the porch of the lower level of The Landing, a landmark inn along the scenic river. Furniture was moved from lower level rooms as a precaution. Damage occurred in Big Spring Park, where at least one small building was washed from its location.

Flood in RIPLEY, MISSOURI
From 19-MAR-08 03:00:00 to 22-MAR-08 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DONIPHAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.60M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Major flooding of the Current River occurred. At the Doniphan gage, the river crested at 24.11 feet on March 19 at 1 P.M. CDT. Flood stage there is 13 feet, and major flooding begins at 22 feet. This flood crest ranked as the fifth highest in over 100 years of records. More than 15 businesses in Doniphan were closed, and the city hall and police stations were inaccessible due to high water. Several homes were damaged in town. Three people were stuck on the roof of their mobile home in Doniphan. Rescue efforts were hampered by a bridge which was too low to the water for boats to pass. People were evacuated by boat from houses in the downtown area.