Flooding accross the county

A sudden onslaught of torrential rain last Wednesday brought flash flooding to much of Webster
County, triggering a wave of road closures, water rescues, and structural damage that left
portions of the county grappling with the aftermath well into the weekend.
The most serious damage occurred along Highway Y, where a bridge spanning the Niangua
River between Marshfield and Conway was severely damaged, leaving a gaping hole in the
roadway and halting all through traffic. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation
(MoDOT), the bridge remains closed indefinitely, with no definitive timeline or cost estimate yet
for its replacement.
MoDOT officials confirmed that bids are being gathered for a complete rebuild of the bridge, with
plans to raise the structure higher to reduce future flood risks. Until construction begins, Route Y
will remain closed from St. Luke Drive to Willow Lane, and is also closed to through traffic from
Route W to Route WW. Local residents still have access to their properties on either side of the
closure, but are being asked to use alternate routes as there are no official detours posted.
Beyond the bridge damage, the flash flooding overwhelmed streams and ditches throughout the
county, prompting the Webster County Commission to issue a public safety notice on June 6
urging residents not to attempt driving through floodwaters. County crews worked quickly to
reopen numerous water-covered roads, many of which were cleared within the day.
Among the impacted roads were:
• Cass Rd
• Ridge Road
• Old Sycamore Loop
• Bunker Hill
• Rifle Range
• Plank School Road

• Mill Dam Road
• Holman Road
• Meyers Hollow
• Stroud Hollow
• Timber Ridge Road
• Panther Creek
• North Iron Mountain
• Compton Hollow
• Little Bowen
• Pleasant Hill
• Settlers Trail at Tracks
• Niangua Rd near the City of Niangua
Even as water began receding within 30–45 minutes in many areas, three water rescues had to
be performed in the county Wednesday night due to trapped vehicles and dangerous driving
conditions.
Local authorities continue to monitor weather patterns and infrastructure integrity, while
encouraging residents to stay updated and remain cautious during heavy rains. With summer
storms still ahead, county officials stress that preparedness and awareness are key to avoiding
future dangers. The event served as a strong reminder—never drive through water on the road.
It only takes a few inches of fast-moving water to sweep away a car.