Gov. Parson Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Boating Victims

Missouri Governor Mike Parson has issued an order that all flags at state and government offices be flown at half-staff until July 27, 2018.

Parson issued the order to honor the victims of the boating accident at Table Rock Lake in Stone County. The order is effective until sunset on July 27.

The AP reports that the weather service station in Springfield, about 40 miles north of Branson, issued a severe thunderstorm watch for its immediate area Thursday (July 19), saying conditions were ripe for winds of 70 mph. It followed up at 6:32 p.m. with a severe thunderstorm warning for three counties that included Branson and the lake. The warning mentioned both locations. The boat went down about 40 minutes later, shortly after 7 p.m., with the death toll at 17 people.