Two election poll workers, aged in their 70s, died on Election Day due to flash flooding in Missouri, where the state’s governor has declared a state of emergency.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two residents of the community of Manes, a 70-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman, were found dead at around 8:45 a.m on Nov. 5. Their vehicle was one of three swept off State Route H near Beaver Creek in Wright County early that morning by flash floods.
The patrol reported that at around 4:30 a.m., they received alerts about three vehicles carried away by floodwaters from Beaver Creek. While those inside two of the vehicles managed to swim to safety, those in the third vehicle did not.
“This is a terrible loss for Wright County,” Wright County Clerk Loni Pedersen said in a statement, confirming the pair had volunteered for the election.
“This couple were wonderful people who donated their time to serve their community. We will miss them dearly and the service they provided to my office.”
The Wright County Clerk’s Office said they are withholding the victims’ names for privacy reasons.
Executive Order
In response to severe weather and flooding, Gov. Mike Parson signed Executive Order 24-14 on Nov. 5, activating the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan.
“With several areas of Missouri already impacted by this week’s storms and heavy rainfall, we want to ensure state resources are available should further disruptions or damage occur,” Parson said in a statement.
“This action enables the state to be better prepared and ready to assist our communities with response and recovery. We urge Missourians to follow the direction of local authorities and emergency managers, use extra caution on the roads, and never drive into floodwaters.”
The executive order is set to expire on Dec. 5 unless terminated or extended.
Rescue Operations
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has been actively involved in rescue operations, according to multiple updates on X.
They reported on Nov. 4 a successful rescue in Gainesville, where two marine division troopers saved a man, a mother, and her three-month-old baby from a flooded low-water crossing on Main Street at 6 a.m.
On the morning of Nov. 5, the patrol reported that US 63, about 4 miles north of Cabool at State Route H, was temporarily closed due to flooding. Although the water has since receded, allowing traffic to pass, drivers are advised to use caution when traveling and to plan their routes using the Missouri Department of Transportation’s traveler information map.
The National Weather Service said on Nov. 5 that the Ozarks have received substantial rainfall in recent days, with some areas southeast of Springfield recording over 11 inches. They said a flood watch and several flood warnings remain active for the region.