Due to recent rainfall, areas of the Mark Twain National Forest are experiencing flash flooding. The Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District is currently dealing with sites getting inundated with water, and some are entry roads into recreation sites.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, multiple precipitation events have saturated the ground, and any rain is now potentially causing flooding in that area or in an area downstream. Forest Service personnel will need to wait for flood waters to recede, conduct safety evaluations, and possibly make some repairs before reopening any sites that are closed from flooding.
Anyone traveling through the Mark Twain National Forest needs to keep in mind the dangers of high water. Do not attempt to drive across moving water at low-water crossings. It only takes a few inches of moving water to sweep away a vehicle. Hiking trails may have creeks running at high volumes that are normally dry. Do not attempt to make these crossings without proper training or equipment. Rain upstream can cause flooding along riverways where no rain is occurring, and it is not recommended to disperse camp near a riverbank at this time.
Forest Service personnel will be at the District Office in Ava, coordinating response to any flooding events on the District. Anyone needing to reach the Ava office can call 417-683-4428.
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