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National Guardsmen sent to flooded south-central Missouri

ROLLA, Mo., Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Missouri's Gasconade River overflowed its banks Wednesday after heavy rain, and Gov. Jay Nixon announced National Guard troops were deployed to the area.

The river rose to a record level of 32.3 feet at noon at Jerome, topping the previous high of 31.34 feet set in 1982, and floodwaters covered nearby Interstate Highway 44 near Rolla, KYTV-TV, Springfield, reported.

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Nixon sent 50 National Guardsmen to southcentral Missouri after over 8 inches of rain fell Tuesday, to aid in traffic control and bolster emergency and rescue efforts in Pulaski County, the Springfield News-Leader reported Wednesday.

Waynesville authorities were searching for a woman believed to be the mother of a boy, 4, who drowned as their vehicle was overtaken by floodwaters. She was believed to be the only unaccounted resident in the area, said Sgt. Dan Crain of the Missouri Highway Patrol.

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