Nixon declares flood emergency

Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency in Missouri on Thursday because of extreme flooding in parts of the state.

"As significant flooding continues to impact large portions of the state, I have directed state emergency management personnel and the Missouri State Highway Patrol to take action to assist local communities and protect the public," Nixon said in a press release.

Heavy rains are expected to fall in southwest Missouri throughout Thursday night and Friday morning, said Mike Griffin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Springfield office.

He said the rains are what's left over from Tropical Depression Bill.

"We're just now getting to see the remains of that system moving into southwest Missouri," Griffin said.

He said the area is under a flash flood watch, and flash flood warnings could be issued Thursday evening.

The Mississippi River and a number of smaller rivers and streams are expected to hit major flood stage including the Meramec River, the Bourbeuse River, the Cuivre River and Dardenne Creek, according to the governor's press release.