Search becomes 'recovery mission' in Warrior River - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Officials in the search for missing 19-year-old Allysa Huffstutler say they are now calling the search a "recovery mission."

It has been over 40 hours since Huffstutler went missing while rafting down the Warrior River on Wednesday with a group of friends. After several people lost their rafts in rough water, Huffstutler was found to be missing. Her disappearance prompted a search that has lasted for the last two days.

Officials said Friday they are rebranding the search as a "recovery mission" because they believe Huffstutler would have been able to travel through the woods and make contact by now.

On Friday, crews will still be conducting a search around the river. People will be walking the banks, divers will be in the water and boaters will travel up and down the area to look for Huffstutler.

Blount County EMA Director Max Armstrong says Friday's search will focus on a 3.7 miles stretch of the river. Crews plan an in-depth search of the rapids called "Double Trouble," the rapids where Huffstutler was last seen.

Any volunteers who want to help in the search should sign in at the command center on Highway 79. Officials are asking people to sign in after a volunteer searcher got lost Thursday night in the woods and crews had to be called back to the area. He was located 10 to 15 minutes after crews returned.

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