Record or near-record flooding occurred after a succession of thunderstorm complexes dumped heavy rain in late April, bringing three-day rainfall totals up to a foot in isolated locations. A large complex of thunderstorms moved southeast across southeast Missouri during the evening hours of the 29th. During the overnight hours through the early morning of the 30th, an even larger complex of thunderstorms dumped widespread very heavy rain. This complex occurred along the same front, which moved back north as a warm front across southeast Missouri. These storms accelerated rises in area rivers, which were already above flood stage in some cases.

Flood in WAYNE, MISSOURI
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 03-MAY-17 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PIEDMONT MUNI ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flooding of the Black River occurred below Clearwater Dam. The lake levels behind the dam reached a record height. For the first time in the dam's history, water passed through the emergency spillway of the dam. This prompted concerns about flooding below the dam. A mandatory evacuation was considered for some residents below the dam. Several roads were closed, including Route 49 at Mill Spring. Damage to public property, including roads, bridges, and utilities, was estimated near one million dollars.

Flood in CARTER, MISSOURI
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 01-MAY-17 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VAN BUREN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

A catastrophic flood on the Current River inflicted very heavy damage to Van Buren and the surrounding riverbank areas. The river crested over 8 feet above the record crest. Several hours before midnight on May 1, the river crested at 37.20 feet on the Van Buren river gage. The old record was 29.00 feet, set in March of 1904. About 238 homes were damaged or destroyed, about half of which were seasonal vacation homes. Whole houses were swept downriver. About 30 businesses were flooded. A large percentage of flood victims were evacuated to temporary shelters in Van Buren. The sheriff department in Van Buren literally floated about 100 feet off its foundation.  Floodwaters were more than eight feet deep in the county courthouse. At least 30 water rescues were conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the National Park Service. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was enacted for residents of the city of Van Buren. Cell phone service was knocked out for a large portion of the area. The governor of Missouri toured the Van Buren area. The governor credited first responders with saving hundreds of lives by boat during the severe but relatively short-lived flood. Damage to public property, including roads and bridges, was estimated around 7 million dollars.

Flood in RIPLEY, MISSOURI
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 06-MAY-17 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENNETT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 4.70M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Current River rose over six feet above the record flood level, set in 1904. Catastrophic flood damage occurred in Doniphan and surrounding riverbank areas. At the Doniphan river gage, the river crested at 33.13 feet about mid-morning on May 1. The old record crest was 26.80 feet set in March of 1904. The Highway 160 bridge over the Current River was closed. Much of the city of Doniphan was flooded, including about 40 businesses. Of those 40 businesses, 35 received major damage and two were destroyed. The others had minor damage. Approximately 15 homes were destroyed, another 37 homes received major damage, and 9 received minor damage. The Ripley County and Doniphan city government offices were flooded, knocking out 911 emergency telephone service to the county. Some of the flooded buildings were likely to be total losses. Water levels were estimated to be six feet deep in a church. At least a dozen water rescues were conducted by boat. Some of the rescues involved vehicles in high water, and others involved residents of flooded cabins. The Missouri State Highway Patrol conducted 12 water rescues at a location off Highway H at County Road 12. Public property damage alone was estimated at nearly two million dollars.

Flood in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 04-MAY-17 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: POPLAR BLUFF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding occurred on the Black River as the month began. At the Poplar Bluff river gage, the river crested at 21.96 feet late on the morning of the 1st. This crest was only a few inches below the record crest of 22.15 feet, set in March of 2008. The main levee from Poplar Bluff to the Qulin area was under extreme stress. One section of levee broke in the vicinity of County Road 608, requiring eight houses to be evacuated. The levee was overtopped in more than a dozen spots. The part of the levee protecting Poplar Bluff, including the downtown area, was overtopped in a couple of places. Police and firefighters went door-to-door on the south side of Poplar Bluff advising residents of a levee breach just outside the city limits. Some homes in the flood plain were flooded, mostly in rural areas south of Poplar Bluff. Areas of south central Butler County were evacuated. A total of about 54 homes were damaged, and two were destroyed. About 10 businesses were damaged. A Red Cross shelter at the Black River Coliseum sheltered about 80 residents. There were two fatalities as a result of the river flooding. The first drowning victim was a 69-year-old woman, whose body was recovered from inside her vehicle on May 2 but who actually drowned on April 30. Her vehicle was swept off a county road outside of Harviell. The second drowning involved a 60-year-old man, whose truck was washed off Route 53 into a ditch near County Road 618.  Most area schools were closed during the crisis. Grain bins were flooded, though some of the crop was removed before the flooding could damage it. Numerous state and county roads were closed, including Highway 53. Parts of Qulin were flooded. Between Qulin and Neelyville, residents of the Coon Island area were evacuated. In the Neelyville area, about a half dozen or so people were evacuated by boat. Damage to public property alone was estimated at nearly two million dollars.