Boston1954

I just heard it a while ago too. We live about 4 miles from the AR state line.

cjomomma

I have been following it on the weather channel. Last I heard the count was up to 20. I hope there aren't anymore. This is so tragic.

marsye

The dead count is now 20 and 40+ still missing. They said on the news that a bus full of boy scouts were also there from Texas. The campground was full!!! Also all along the many roads out in that area that were along side the river people set up camps on any spot they could find so theres no telling how many people were actually in the area. There used to be several roads into this place (we've been on all of them by car and 4 wheelers) but now only one and they had to make that one. This place is so far into the woods and mountains so the rescue efforts are not easy. There is absolutely no cell service in that area and no phone service. And is even hard sometimes for law enforcement to transmit. We are sitting here listening to the scanner and watching it on CNN & other channels and its sounding worse all the time. Is hard to believe this is happening just a few miles from us! Especially since we only got an inch of rain last night!!! We were there just a few days ago but the way it sounds it will be a long time before anybody can get in there again.

laurlync

Growing up, we camped there often. I have been there a few times on day trips in the last few years. Marsye is right about how remote an area this is with no cell service. My sons have made several trips there with their friends and just camped where they could find a spot because, during the summer, it is hard to find a spot to rent. It is a beautiful area and a lot of families look forward to camping there every year. In a lot of the areas, there are steep mountains on both sides of the river, so anyone camped in these areas would have been literally trapped. We have climbed lots of these steep areas, but I couldn't even imagine trying to do something like that in the dark, with the rain pouring and water rising. This is truely a disaster and I pray that those still missing will be found safe.

raptureready

Sounds like there are 40 missing that they KNOW of. It may be days before some people are even missed. Were the records of "who's where" able to be saved? Were there any records? Were the records complete or can you just drive in and camp without anyone knowing about it? Marsye do you know the answers to any of my questions since you live nearby?

marsye

They call it a river but its more like a creek so can you imagine it being 23 feet deep and rushing??! I don't think I've ever seen the water in most places over 3 feet deep. All the roads that we used to ride on are gone! Thats how high and fast the water was rushing. I just can't beleive this!

marsye

They are saying that some people could have been washed 10-12 miles down the river and could take days to find them....or maybe never. The only record would be for those registered in the actual campground or the cabins. Many people just set up camp anywhere in the woods along side the river. This time of year there are usually so many people its hard to find a spot.

raptureready

So in actuality there could be hundreds of people involved! This is just too sad to contemplate. It's just mind boggling that a place so peaceful looking could turn so deadly in so little time and with no way to warn people. I know tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc. can all be deadly but usually there's at least some warning so that you can get to safety. Almost all of these people were probably sleeping.

redquilter

So very, very sad. These people were most likely sleeping and never knew what hit them. To think any one of us could be out enjoying a peaceful, beautiful spot like that and then, all of a sudden the tranquility is broken by tragedy. Such a devastating freak of nature.

texas granny

That is the storm that went through Austin on wed we had 5 in of rain that morning. South of us had flooding. They were just talking about the flooding in Ark on the news.