SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Roads are flooded across southern Missouri following heavy rains overnight and authorities are urging motorists to drive with caution.

Meteorologist Drew Albert in Springfield says the rains are adding to high water levels in the James and Gasconade rivers in southwest Missouri, and many streams and smaller rivers are full.

Albert says this round of flooding is worse than the region is used to and is expected to continue through Friday. Most flood-related fatalities occur when people drive through flooded roads and Albert warns that the waters from these storms are unusually swift and high.

No evacuations have been reported in southwest Missouri. But in eastern Missouri, about a dozen families were evacuated from their homes in Steelville Friday morning because of flooding along Yadkin Creek.