A slow-moving cold front passed across the region between the 20th and 22nd. Several upper level disturbances moved north-northeast along the front, touching off numerous showers and thunderstorms. The ground was already moist from snowmelt in the wake of the early December winter storm. On the 21st, a strong negatively tilted shortwave at 500 mb ejected northeast from the southern Plains, providing strong forcing for ascent. Widespread heavy rain and thunderstorms surged northeast in association with the strengthening surface low that tracked across western Tennessee and Kentucky. Storm total rainfall amounts ranged mostly from 4 to 9 inches, with the highest amounts from Sikeston south along the Mississippi River. Ditches and creeks quickly spilled out onto roadways and into nearby fields. There were numerous road closures and water rescues as waters continued to rise. Minor flooding occurred along the Black and St. Francis Rivers.

Flood in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 21:00:00 to 22-DEC-13 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENDRICKSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several roads were closed, including parts of Highways 142 and 158.

Flood in BOLLINGER, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 13:00:00 to 22-DEC-13 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PATTON JCT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A number of roads were closed, including parts of Highways H, P, and W.

Flood in CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 14:00:00 to 22-DEC-13 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW WELLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A few roads were closed by flooding, including a section of Highway A. In Jackson, basement flooding was reported.

Flood in CARTER, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 10:00:00 to 22-DEC-13 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELLSINORE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several roads were closed, including sections of Highways K, M, and Z. Carter County Road 259 was flooded by the Little Black Creek.

Flood in RIPLEY, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 09:30:00 to 22-DEC-13 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NAYLOR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several state roads were closed, including sections of Highways 142, H, K, NN, and W.

Flood in WAYNE, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 13:00:00 to 22-DEC-13 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAPPAPELLO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

About a half dozen state roads were closed, including sections of Highways 49, C, E, FF, KK, P, and TT.

Flood in STODDARD, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 17:30:00 to 21-DEC-13 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAXICO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A section of Highway T was closed by flooding.

Flood in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 16:30:00 to 23-DEC-13 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: POPLAR BLUFF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Minor flooding occurred on the Black River. Farmland south of Poplar Bluff was flooded. Mainly bottomland woods and fields were inundated, including a riverside park in Poplar Bluff.

Flood in WAYNE, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 13:00:00 to 22-DEC-13 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SILVA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Minor flooding occurred on the St. Francis River near Patterson. Low-lying woods and fields near the river were inundated, along with riverside parks and campgrounds.

Flash Flood in BOLLINGER, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 11:00:00 to 21-DEC-13 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GIPSY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A water rescue was conducted by the fire department on Highway P and TT near the border of Wayne County. Flash flooding of Crooked Creek surrounded a restaurant in Marble Hill. Parts of Highways H, P, and W were closed.

Flash Flood in WAYNE, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 12:00:00 to 21-DEC-13 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE WAPPAPELLO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Two to three inches of water was in a house off of Highway PP. About a half dozen state roads were closed, including sections of Highways 49, C, E, FF, KK, P, and TT.

Flash Flood in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 13:22:00 to 21-DEC-13 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENDRICKSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 90.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Northwest of Poplar Bluff, flash flooding of Cane Creek resulted in a vehicle being inundated. A water rescue was conducted near U.S. Highway 60 and County Road 410, where two people were trapped in the vehicle, including a child. One person was injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Another water rescue was conducted on a secondary road near the junction of U.S. Highway 60 and Route T, east of Poplar Bluff. Two occupants were removed from the vehicle with no injuries. In the city of Poplar Bluff, persons were evacuated from a flooded home near the junction of Business Loop 60 and U.S. 67. About four miles west of Poplar Bluff, the fire department evacuated an elderly couple by boat from their home on County Road 450. Water was too deep for fire trucks to pass.

Flood in NEW MADRID, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 19:45:00 to 22-DEC-13 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORTAGEVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

In Lilbourn, water was being pumped over a highway to keep homes from flooding in the northeast corner of town. The problem was caused by flooding of a large ditch along Highway U. In Portageville, streets and yards were flooded. A section of Highway FF was closed.

Flood in SCOTT, MISSOURI
From 21-DEC-13 20:55:00 to 22-DEC-13 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DIEHLSTADT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North of Sikeston, U.S. Highway 61 was closed, along with Highway HH. A trained spotter in Diehlstadt measured 7.36 inches of rain in the previous 18 hours.