FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY: Missouri’s Trenton Sees 5.5 to 7.5 Inches of Rain With Catastrophic Flash Flooding Occurring Right Now in Grundy County Saturday Night May 16
TRENTON, Missouri – A Flash Flood Emergency is in effect right now for Trenton, Missouri as of 9:30 PM on Saturday, May 16, with 5.5 to 7.5 inches of rain already fallen and dangerous, catastrophic flash flooding actively occurring. The Flash Flood Warning for Grundy County, Missouri expires in 5 hours and 53 minutes. GET TO HIGHER GROUND NOW.
This Is a Flash Flood Emergency, Not a Watch or Warning
A Flash Flood Emergency is the highest and most serious flood alert issued. It is reserved exclusively for situations where catastrophic flash flooding is already occurring and lives are in immediate danger. The damage threat for this event is listed as Catastrophic for Grundy County, Missouri. If you are in Trenton or surrounding Grundy County right now and you are in a low-lying area, leave immediately and move to higher ground.
Rainfall Already on the Ground
The rain totals that have already fallen across Trenton and Grundy County as of 9:30 PM Saturday, May 16 are extreme:
- 5.5 to 7.5 inches of rainfall has already fallen across the Trenton area, an amount that overwhelms drainage systems, fills creeks and streams to capacity and turns roads into rivers within minutes.
- The heaviest rainfall is concentrated directly over Trenton, Laredo, Galt and Browning, Missouri, shown in the darkest pink and purple colors on the flash flood ratio map at 9:30 PM.
- Tindall, Spickard, Jamesport, Bethany, Gilman City and Pattonsburg are within the broader flood impact zone as of 9:30 PM Saturday, May 16.
What Catastrophic Flash Flooding Means on the Ground
Catastrophic is the most severe damage threat category attached to a Flash Flood Warning. At 5.5 to 7.5 inches of rainfall, the following conditions are expected or already occurring across Trenton and Grundy County:
- Roads and highways are flooded and impassable, including routes that may appear safe but have water flowing over them at dangerous depths and speeds.
- Low-water bridges, creek crossings and underpasses are completely submerged and extremely dangerous.
- Homes and businesses in low-lying areas near streams and drainage channels face immediate inundation.
- Vehicles can be swept away in as little as 12 inches of fast-moving water. Do not attempt to drive through any flooded roadway under any circumstances.
Do Not Wait, Move to Higher Ground Right Now
If you are in Trenton, Laredo, Browning, Galt, Jamesport or anywhere in Grundy County, Missouri and you are not already on high ground, move immediately. Do not wait to see the water rising before you act. Flash floods can rise several feet in minutes and trap people in homes, vehicles and low-lying areas with no warning. Move to the upper floors of a sturdy building if you cannot safely evacuate to higher ground.
WaldronNews.com will continue tracking this Flash Flood Emergency across Trenton and Grundy County, Missouri and will provide updates as rainfall totals, flood stage levels and road closures develop through Saturday night, May 16.