Newton and McDonald counties are under a flash flood warning until 8 p.m.
The National Weather Service reported torrential rainfall in the Ozarks on Wednesday. Reports of rain from three to six inches have been common, with some areas receiving eight inches. The NWS Springfield office broke their daily rainfall record. Through 4 p.m. they received 4.43 inches of rain.
The NWS reports numerous roadways covered with water and rapid rises in creeks and streams across the area.
In Neosho a woman and child were rescued as the water rose on West McCord. Water covered the car 20 minutes after their rescue.
At the high school buses were held for 30 minutes due to flooding conditions.
Near Crowder College Route D, Lyon Drive, was closed at 3 p.m. due to flooding.
The road was closed from Harmony and the Neosho Boulevard to Coler and North Valley streets for about a half hour. At Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts water crept nearly to the front door and it its highpoint water splashed through the door whenever a semi rolled down Coler. Just off Coler, nearby North Lincoln Street was almost solid water for several intersections. Residents said the flooding was the worst they had seen.
South Layfayette Street from the roundabout to Robinson Avenue was closed as more than a foot of quickly moving water raced across the street.
Just after 4 p.m. scanner traffic indicated that two vehicles flooded out in the area of North College Street. Earlier scanner traffic also indicated there were evacuations along West Spring Street.
Additional rainfall is expected this evening.
Runoff has the potential for flash flooding and the NWS urges special caution at low water crossings including Highway 4 at Buffalo Creek west of Anderson, Business Highway 60 north of Neosho, Route H north of Pleasant Hope, Route CC west of Pomme De Terre River and Highway 12 at Pine Run northwest of Galena, Kan.
In addition to Newton and McDonald counties other counties under a flash flood warning are: Greene, Lawrence, northern Barry, northern Stone, northwestern Webster, southeastern Dade, southern Polk, southwestern Dallas and western Christian counties.
