Friday marked a critical intervention by the Army National Guard’s Black Hawk helicopters in Reynolds County, Missouri. They flew into perilous conditions to rescue 202 young campers and staff caught by the swift encroachment of floodwaters at Camp Taum Sauk, nestled along the Black River in the scenic Missouri Ozarks.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol released nail-biting footage capturing the frantic urgency as children raced to board the helicopters, their escape routes disappearing beneath the advancing waters.
Met by relief and cheers, the young campers, aged between 8 and 16, along with their dedicated counselors, were safely evacuated to St. Louis. There, troopers confirmed they were joyfully reunited with their anxious families.
Stunning video footage documented the Black Hawk’s heroic mission against the backdrop of the Missouri floods. (Sgt. Eddie Young/Missouri State Highway Patrol)
“We are beyond thankful for your help keeping our camp community safe,” read an emotional Instagram post from Camp Taum Sauk officials Saturday. Their heartfelt thanks extended to the National Guard, Reynolds County 911 Emergency Responders, and the supportive local Arcadia community.
The historic coed camp has been in operation in Lesterville, roughly 125 miles south of St. Louis, since 1946.
The camper rescue comes just over a year after the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country flooded on July 4, 2025, taking the lives of at least 135 people, including 28 people at all-girls Camp Mystic.
FILE – Items lie scattered inside a cabin at Camp Mystic after deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, July 5, 2025. (Reuters/Sergio Flores, File)
Nearby, operators of the Bearcat Getaway campground closed their facilities for the weekend and confirmed on Facebook Friday afternoon that all campers and staff were safe and accounted for.
The dramatic aerial rescue at Camp Taum Sauk was part of a large, coordinated emergency response across Missouri after a relentless storm system dumped 6 to 12 inches of rain on central, south-central and southeastern parts of the state.
The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency shared photos of devastating flooding on Saturday. (Missouri State Emergency Management Agency via Facebook)
Following an executive order by Gov. Mike Kehoe declaring a state of emergency, local emergency personnel performed at least 351 swift-water rescues across the region.
“Missouri’s first responders once again answered the call with extraordinary bravery, professionalism, and compassion,” Kehoe wrote in a statement on Facebook.
State officials are urging vigilance as the National Weather Service warned the already saturated soils could see an additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall through the weekend.