Arkansas flood waters rose as much as 8’ per hour, report says

A convenience store flooded by the Caddo River is seen in Glenwood, Ark on Friday June 11, 2010. 

At least 20 people have died and the number of missing has not yet been verified. Now, new reports by Fox 16 state that the floodwaters rose as much as 8’ per hour. The flashfloods devastated the Albert Pike campground where sleeping campers lay oblivious to the devastation that would befall them.

See Also : Statement by the President on Arkansas Flash Flooding

Search and rescue efforts are underway and at least 36 people are still missing. Spokesperson f or Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, Matt DeCample, spoke with ABC news and released a statement, “It's a terrible tragedy and we're doing all we can to hopefully find some folks and bring some people back who are stranded out there. We've got a lot of state and local folks pulling together. This is an unprecedented tragedy out in this part of the state. It's a very rural but close-knit portion of Arkansas."

The Albert Pike Recreation Area, a 54-unit campground in the Ouachita National Forest, in Arkansas.

See Also : Arkansas flooding death toll revised to 16, witnesses share their experiences

The Albert Pike Campground is part of the Ouachita National Forest and houses 54 units. A spokesperson for the Red Cross, Brigette Williams, spoke with the Associated Press and said that it is believed that as many as 300 people were in the vicinity. It is unclear whether they were campers or residents.


The heavy rains Thursday night pounded the Little Missouri River causing it to rise to 23.5 feet. The waters subsided and by noon it was below 11 feet.


The search for survivors continues.