Tyler Keim selected as August 2026 Missouri Department of Natural Resources Team Member of the Month

Tyler Keim, an assistant park superintendent with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks, is the department’s Team Member of the Month for August 2026. He was selected for his service to the department and for his efforts while responding to sudden and catastrophic flooding at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park in July 2026.

In the early morning hours of July 10, a catastrophic flash flooding event affected Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park and the surrounding area. The USGS stream gauge along the East Fork of the Black Rive near Lesterville recorded 40.8 cubic feet per second of flow at 2 a.m. By 4:03 a.m., it recorded a staggering 10,700 cubic feet per second of flow, before peaking at 6:30 a.m. at 33,800 cubic feet per second.

“Keim’s composure, knowledge of the park, quick thinking and immediate action during an unimaginable event saved people from injury and even death,” said Kurt Schaefer, director of the Department of Natural Resources, who nominated Keim for the award. “He is, without doubt, deserving of this award.”

By 3 a.m., a small, meandering wet-weather creek turned into an unprecedented wall of water rushing through the largest section of the park’s campground. Keim was in the campground at the time, and roads out were blocked by high water and debris, preventing other help from getting in. With haste, he knocked on doors, checked tents and vehicles, and woke 203 campers to direct them to the safety of higher ground.

“Tyler put his own safety at risk to help evacuate campers,” said Krista Kennon, a deputy regional director with the department’s Division of State Parks, who also nominated Keim for the award. “He is one of the best examples of a team member going to the extremes to save lives.”

Keim joined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in July 2011 and resides in Middle Brook.

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