The Black River and Poplar Bluff's flood history

The Black River runs through Poplar Bluff and across Butler County. As it leaves the Ozark foothills and reaches the flatter Bootheel lowlands, the river has flooded many times. The National Weather Service lists major floods here, including 1937, 1973, 2008, and 2011.

If you are buying or renting in the area, look up the exact address before you decide. Flood-zone status affects whether you need flood insurance and what to expect in a heavy rain. Do not rely on a past high-water mark or on what a neighbor remembers.

The FEMA Flood Map Service Center is the official place to check an address against the flood maps. You can search by address at msc.fema.gov. For current preparedness steps and your local emergency contacts, see Missouri SEMA, which can point you to your county emergency management director.