Flash Flood Tragedy

Prayers for the families

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/11/arkansas.campground.deaths/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

Me and two friends were stormed off the ERL at the falls under threat of flash floods once. After hitching to Albert Pike, we had to wait for the water to subside it's 18 inches over the road to get out. The place is raw nature in every way. I'll be praying for the families of those lost.

Boston-Glad your doing OK! Any pictures?

Talked to Reds wife today (he's in the middle doing a yo-yo).....she has heard from Nathan that Red is doing just fine. He was in the mountains when the flood hit. Looking forward to hearing how he did as well!

Prayers go out to all that have are involved and especially to the families that have been affected!

Mark

Glad he is OK... He should have some interesting photos... I have a cabin on a hill about 20miles from there with 2 creeks on both sides. we get flooded in every so often...

Sounds like maybe they camped too close to the river

some updated info:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100611/ap_on_re_us/us_arkansas_flooding

Waiting to hear from Grand Daughter. She may have been there.

Dfield... call the arkansas state police and give them your number. They told me they would call you back as soon as they have any names to release.

Thanks Nate but right now we are just hoping they did not go but we cannot find her. We did hear a math teacher from my old school Spring Hill is amoung the dead.

Tenn,

My experience was a couple of years ago but goes to show how volatile that little stream is. I just pray that those unaccounted for are found and not added to the death toll.

This area must be treated with the utmost respect. You will see me post here over and over again about the force of water in this area. I just don't go when there is a chance of heavy rain. It has now been reported that the count is up to 16. 40 people are unaccounted for.

Here is the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management website for anyone that might need info.

Here is todays official press release

Here are the coordinates for google maps

34°22'22.40"N, 93°52'42.57"W

I was at the lodi church with the families of the victims and last heard was 20 dead

This is getting to close to home for me. A man that I went to H.S. with in S.E. AR lost his seven year old daughter to the flood. Also there was some Dierks locals there. One baby lost for sure and I believe her father is also among the missing. I am sure I will here of more. A local coach and his family was camping and they made it out alive.

Have they released the names yet, or is this just still spreading word-of-mouth?

My prayers go out to those families, especially the ones who lost kids.

We found my grand daughter she never made it there. She is fine

No list as of yet from what I understand. The ones I know come from family members and close friends that were there.

Ouachita:
I haven't been on here in a while, but wanted to make sure you were ok. I know you're not far from that area. Glad to see you made it through.
We'll pray for all of the families of the lost and injured.
UL

UL,

Good to here from you! Yes Janet and I are ok. We got, from what I have been told, four inches of rain after mid night this morning. Nothing like the Little Mo got. I can't even began to imagine what those poor folks went thru. We are by the way only 35 miles from the area.

Tom

Have you heard anthing about how bad the trail is? Also wondering if it was that bad at Shady Lake and Caney Creek?

OK I just talked to Mena FS. First of all they are without a head ranger at the moment. Jim Zorens has been moved to Arizona and the person I deal with the most, Sharon, is off today. This I know. They didn't get the volume of water that the little Mo got. Shady lake is open. B loop is closed as well as the swimming area. They got a lot of debris washed down. The roads are passable and Caney Creek trails should be OK.

The Little Mo trail:
First I just don't know and I am reluctant to call Liz at Mt. Ida at this time. I feel like the trail will be closed for a long time. Guys we just won't have a loop for awhile. The volume of water that went down the Little Mo and the debris piles that I have read about would shut it down. Also I don't think that they will rebuild Albert Pike until the government comes up with some type of warning system. The roads and bridges are all out.

This was posted on the Arkansas Canoe Club page:

"got word from someone that ran crooked creek today. They could only run
the upper gorge because the small bridge
it goes under had been washed
out."

That is on the upper reaches of the area. I feel like everything is gone from there south. This is all conjecture I know. I am going to give
it a few more days and call Liz.

I finally talked to Sean (Red Buffalo) today. He was camping at Saline Creek when the rain started. His tent was swamped with water, not from the river, but just run-off from Eagle Rock Mtn. His cameral was damaged and equipment soaked, but he came out injury free. He is still trying to find out about his truck, hasn't been able to ascertain information on it's condition. Sounds like he will be home soon and we should get a full trip report, which I will be exceptionally excited to get this one. Glad your good Red!!

Thanks again gents for keeping me in your thoughts. Here's an interview I somehow got in yesterday from one of the news outlets (Fort Smith, Ark). It's not all accurate, but you know how that goes.Video Link

We did finally get to my truck today, which was taken to Daisy, AR. It was totaled and was submerged during the height of the storm. It had about 2" of mud throughout and some nice dents in the sides. I took out my personal items and got some pictures for my insurance company. I seriously feel lucky and blessed to be alive and thankful to a lot of folks that cared about my whereabouts. We're in Shreveport and should be home in the morning. I get more info. out when I get settled back in. Thanks everyone!

Glad to hear you are safe, Red. I'm sure hiking that trail will never be the same.

The loss of life is overwhelming to consider. It's also a reminder that we never know when we will stand before the Maker.

Cliff

I'm so saddened by the loss of life and grateful for the lives of the survivors. I'm grateful that I worked my section of the Little Mo trail one week earlier. As many of you have mentioned, the ERL and surrounding area are raw and rugged places that can be very unforgiving.

Whenever it becomes possible again, count me in to volunteer and help with the trail.