REYNOLDS COUNTY, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) toured flood damage across Reynolds County today, including at Valley Springs Youth Ranch and Black River Baptist Church. On July 9 and 10, Reynolds County saw as much as 12 inches of rain in a three-hour time frame, causing extensive damage to homes, farms, and community buildings across the area.

Congressman Smith said, “What I saw today in Reynolds County was heartbreaking. Families have lost their homes, farmers have lost equipment and livelihoods they spent decades building, and a church that feeds well over a hundred people through its food drives had its sanctuary destroyed. The scale of what this community is facing is enormous, and I’m grateful for every first responder, volunteer, neighbor, and local leader who has stepped up to help during this difficult time. My office will continue working to connect these families and organizations with every state and federal resource available as they rebuild.”

Background:

• Valley Springs Youth Ranch incurred an estimated $3 million in damage, with floodwaters rising high enough to come through building windows.
• The ranch lost 40 years’ worth of equipment used to make repairs and keep it running.
• As the area is not a designated flood zone, very few families and businesses have flood insurance.
• Black River Baptist Church’s sanctuary was destroyed by the floodwaters. The church feeds between up to 120 families through its food drives.
• Local farms also incurred substantial damage, with one local farmer losing 90 bales of hay and had three tractors severely damaged.
• A Missouri Department of Transportation building in the area was completely flooded.