2010 Arkansas floods
Encyclopedia
The June 2010 Arkansas floods were flash flood
s that killed at least 20 people near Langley
, Arkansas
, United States, in the early morning of June 11, 2010. Heavy, localized rainfall from six to eight inches (150–200 mm) flooded the Little Missouri
and Caddo
rivers, sweeping through campsites in the Ouachita National Forest
.
, up from its ordinary level of 3 foot (0.9144 m). The floods affected camping sites around the rivers.
A flood of this size had not occurred in the area since records began in 1988. A local resident said none such had happened since May 1968, when the site "was not the popular camping spot it is today."
Warnings were issued in advance of the flooding; however, the warnings may not have been heard due to the remoteness of the affected areas.
, at about 5:30 am on June 11. The flood had caught campers by surprise while they slept in their tents, and destroyed a number of cabins.
The American Red Cross
estimated that over 200 people were in the areas affected by the floods at the time the floods hit. The missing were being searched for by National Guard
helicopters. President
Barack Obama
pledged federal emergency assistance if it was required by Arkansas. Emergency management officials stated the search and rescue efforts would be difficult as the number of missing was unknown, and the missing were not necessarily confined to campsites. A logbook at the Albert Pike Recreational Area that would have helped track the whereabouts of hikers was swept away in the flood, leaving rescuers with little idea how many hikers could be missing. Rescue efforts were also hampered by roads rendered inaccessible by the flooding; some searchers used canoes or kayaks. A call center set up by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management received inquiries in respect of 73 people who may have been missing.
In a statement, President Obama said: "Michelle and I would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives during this horrible flash flood, and we offer our prayers for those who anxiously await news of loved ones still missing."
Flash flood
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields...
s that killed at least 20 people near Langley
Langley, Arkansas
Langley is an unincorporated community in Pike County, Arkansas, United States. It is located where state highway 84 and 369 meet. The town is usually a stopping point for travelers traveling 6 miles north to the Albert Pike Recreational Area in Ouachita National Forest...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, United States, in the early morning of June 11, 2010. Heavy, localized rainfall from six to eight inches (150–200 mm) flooded the Little Missouri
Little Missouri River (Arkansas)
The Little Missouri River, or Little Mo, is a waterway that runs from the Ouachita Mountains of southwest Arkansas into the rolling hills area in the surrounding countryside.- Overview :...
and Caddo
Caddo River
The Caddo River is a tributary of the Ouachita River in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The river is about long altogther.-Course:The Caddo River flows out of the Ouachita Mountains through Montgomery, Pike, and Clark counties in Arkansas before flowing into DeGray Lake and then to its terminus at the...
rivers, sweeping through campsites in the Ouachita National Forest
Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita National Forest is a National Forest that lies in the western portion of Arkansas and portions of eastern Oklahoma.-History:The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest National Forest in the southern United States. The Forest encompasses , including most of the scenic Ouachita Mountains...
.
Cause
The floods were caused by heavy rain on the evening of June 10 and the early morning of June 11 in the Ouachita National Forest, causing the Little Missouri and Caddo Rivers to rise at a rate of up to 8 feet (2.4 m) per hour. The Little Missouri peaked at over 23 feet (7 m) near LangleyLangley, Arkansas
Langley is an unincorporated community in Pike County, Arkansas, United States. It is located where state highway 84 and 369 meet. The town is usually a stopping point for travelers traveling 6 miles north to the Albert Pike Recreational Area in Ouachita National Forest...
, up from its ordinary level of 3 foot (0.9144 m). The floods affected camping sites around the rivers.
A flood of this size had not occurred in the area since records began in 1988. A local resident said none such had happened since May 1968, when the site "was not the popular camping spot it is today."
Warnings were issued in advance of the flooding; however, the warnings may not have been heard due to the remoteness of the affected areas.
Casualties
At least 20 people died in the floods (including at least six children), and about 24 people were missing. Many of the casualties were caused by a flood sweeping through a heavily populated campsite at the Albert Pike Recreational AreaAlbert Pike Recreational Area
Albert Pike Recreational Area is a recreational area located in the Ouachita National Forest about 6 miles north of Langley, Arkansas in southern Montgomery County, Arkansas featuring swimming and camping areas on the Little Missouri River.-Flooding tragedy:...
, at about 5:30 am on June 11. The flood had caught campers by surprise while they slept in their tents, and destroyed a number of cabins.
The American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
estimated that over 200 people were in the areas affected by the floods at the time the floods hit. The missing were being searched for by National Guard
Arkansas National Guard
The Arkansas National Guard comprises both Army and Air components. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function in a state status...
helicopters. President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
pledged federal emergency assistance if it was required by Arkansas. Emergency management officials stated the search and rescue efforts would be difficult as the number of missing was unknown, and the missing were not necessarily confined to campsites. A logbook at the Albert Pike Recreational Area that would have helped track the whereabouts of hikers was swept away in the flood, leaving rescuers with little idea how many hikers could be missing. Rescue efforts were also hampered by roads rendered inaccessible by the flooding; some searchers used canoes or kayaks. A call center set up by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management received inquiries in respect of 73 people who may have been missing.
In a statement, President Obama said: "Michelle and I would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives during this horrible flash flood, and we offer our prayers for those who anxiously await news of loved ones still missing."
External links
- "A Search for Survivors in Arkansas", photo gallery by The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...