JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Governor Jay Nixon has activated the Missouri National Guard in response to the widespread flooding across the state.
The state’s death toll from days of pounding rainfall has risen to 13, and Nixon said he expects that number to grow.
The Governor said Monday that the majority of the victims drowned after driving into floodwaters.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says six of the deaths happened in south-central Missouri’s Pulaski County. That’s where four international soldiers from Fort Leonard Wood drowned, as did two other people when their vehicle was swept away 10 miles from the soldiers.
Nixon told Missourians and other travelers to avoid driving into water, noting that “you’re taking great risks” by doing so.
State officials say there have been more than 200 road closures statewide because of the storms, as well as more than 30 water rescues.
Several businesses are flooded in the town of Union after a small river raged out of control.
The Bourbeuse River reached an all-time high Tuesday, nearly 20 feet above flood stage. Stephanie Norton of the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency says no one has been killed or injured. However, water is near the roofs of a McDonald’s, QuikTrip and several other businesses that sit near the normally docile river.
The Bourbeuse is among several smaller rivers in eastern Missouri that are seeing record or close-to-record flooding. The Meramec River in the St. Louis area is nearly 30 feet above flood stage in some spots, forcing scattered evacuations and the closure of several roads.
The U.S. Coast Guard has already closed a portion of the Mississippi River near St. Louis due to flooding.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Officials confirmed Tuesday morning that a search is underway in Northern Vernon County for a person who was hunting and went missing.
According to officials, the search is being conducted by multiple agencies. Sheriff Jason Mosher said the identity of the missing person is not being released at this time.
Mid America Live News will release more information when it becomes available to us.
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| William Paul Claus II |
William Paul Claus II, age 28 of Clinton, MO passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday December 22, 2015 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Memorial service will be 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Vansant-Mills Funeral Chapel, Clinton, Missouri with visitation one hour prior to service. Condolences and fond memories may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.
He was born on January 17, 1987 in Elmhurst, Illinois to William Paul Claus I and Kim Wilson. He was a loving husband, step-father to three children, son, brother, uncle and friend. William served in the United States National Guard and then served in the United States Army. During his tour in the National Guard he assisted in the Hurricane Katrina Disaster relief. William enjoyed football, animals, spending time with family and friends, and working, but above all enjoyed helping people however he could. He had many hobbies including; working with electronics, working on cars, playing video games and most of all sharing a great story and laugh with friends and family. He was an organ donor and by making this commitment gave many lives a gift of hope. William is survived by his mother, Kim; father, William; sister(s), Kara and Kelsey; brother(s) Chris, Cody and Nathan along with Step-father Charles and three step-brothers, James, Charles and Devin.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.
A memorial service for James will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, January 2, 2016, at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri. The Minister officiating at the service will be Pastor David Putthoff.
The visitation will be held from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. preceding the service.
The family suggests any MEMORIAL donations be made to Midwest Transplant. Donations may be left at the funeral home.
Survivors include his stepfather and mother, Mike and Linda McKee of Montrose, Missouri; his father Stanley E. Joy; one sister Paula Jean Joy; one brother George Allen McKee; five half-sisters: Carol Joy, Shirley Joy, Jamie Joy, Peggy Sue (Chris) Fayard and Paige Joy; two half-brothers William Joy and Levi Joy; two nephews Joseph Kempinger and Noah Kempinger; a step-grandmother Betty McKee; many other aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
On 12/28/15 around 6:07 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County along with the Bates County Sheriffs Deputies and Bates County EMS responded to a one vehicle accident on Northbound I-49 at Mile Marker 130.4
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2008 Nissan Frontier driven by 53 year old Andrew L. Smith of Saint Joseph, Missouri began to slide on the ice covered roadway and traveled off the right side of the roadway striking a bridge.
Two passengers in Mr. Smith's vehicle 43 year old Rachel A. Panku who sustained moderate injuries in this accident and 13 year old Destani Jones who sustained minor injuries both of Saint Joseph, Missouri were transported to Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri.
The vehicle received extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Don's Tow of Butler, Missouri.
Copyright Mid America Live News
Around 11;45 a.m. this morning the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Vernon County along with Vernon County Sheriffs Deputies responded to a one vehicle accident on I-49 6 miles South of Nevada.
Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2000 Toyota Accord driven by 60 year old Deborah S. Prewitt of Parsons, Kansas lost control on sleet covered roadway and traveled off the right side of the roadway before striking a fence and tree.
Three people were injured in this accident 27 year old Jenny A. Prewitt, 3 year old Dominic A. Prewitt and Deborah S. Prewitt all of Parsons, Kansas sustained minor injuries in this accident and all three was transported by ambulance to Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, Missouri.
The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene by TCB Towing.
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On 12/28/15 around 3:40 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County along with Cass County Sheriffs Deputies responded to a two vehicle accident on Northbound Route D just South of 215th Street in rural Cass County.
Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by 39 year old Rachel E. Ropp of Raymore, Missouri slid on ice covered roadway and crossed the centerline and was struck by a 2012 Ford E250 driven by 43 year old Jeffrey W. Pinneo of Osawatomie, Kansas.
Two children in the Ropp vehicle were injured in this accident 9 year old Naomi R. Ropp and 7 year old Cora J. Ropp both of Raymore, Missouri sustained minor injuries in this accident and both was transported to Children's Mercy Hospital by ambulance.
The vehicles sustained extensive damage and were towed from the scene by J's Southland Tow.
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| Micky Kottwitz |
On Dec. 23, Micky Kottwitz, 40, Osceola, was arrested in Osceola on a St. Clair County warrant charging him with class C felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond is set at $15,000.
The charge stems from an incident on Aug. 28 at a residence on NE 471 Road, Osceola. During the investigation, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office deputies and members of the Mid Missouri Multi Jurisdiction Drug Task Force discovered paraphernalia that field test positive methamphetamine in Kottwitz’s possession.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Governor Jay Nixon has activated the Missouri National Guard in response to the widespread flooding across the state. 
