Campers Trapped by Rising Flood Waters

poppafred · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:07 AM

Have been listening for past hour on Franklin Co SO primary.

Byrd's Riverside Retreat on the Mulberry River, east of Hiway 23 and off south side of Hiway 215 north of Turner Bend and Cass Job Corps Center.

SO is receiving frantic calls from approximately 30 campers who have been forced up onto the roof of the bath house by rapidly rising flood waters. Reports indicate the waters have completely flooded the campground's acerage and a caller told the dispatcher that her camper had already been washed away. Swift water rescue teams are enroute and the Arkansas National Guard has been called for possible aerial support if available.

Franklin Co. Deputy first on scene reported the swiftness of the water will affect the access to the stranded campers by boat.

poppafred · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:11 AM

Johnson Co and Crawford Co swift water rescue teams are mobilizing to assist. Power to camp ground has been cut to avoid electrocution of stranded campers on the roof of the metal bath house. Deputy on scene advised that the cutting of power would probably cause panic in stranded campers.

Washington Co has just advised they had 2 boats with full crews enroute. ETA 15 minutes.

poppafred · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:17 AM

Remoteness of the camp ground is hampering radio communications. Units on scene are having a lot of difficulty talking to SO dispatch and Office of Emergency Management on both county frequency and on AWIN.

Logan Co has dispatched 2 boats and teams from Paris, AR to assist.

poppafred · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:23 AM

Google Earth coordinates for Byrd's Riverside Retreat:

35° 40' 39.84" N
93° 44' 31.14" W

poppafred · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:27 AM

KHBS 40/29 has dispatched a news team from Rogers, AR. They may have video coverage with early morning news shows.

KFSM 5 in Ft. Smith not sure if they can find someone who could cover the story because of the other flooding occuring in the area.

poppafred · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:29 AM

Hiway 215 is now covered at Huggins Road and flood waters are continuing to rise rapidly, possibly cutting off further access to camp site. Ambulance crew was unwilling to attempt crossing the flooded area. On scene deputy advises a boat is on scene and should be able to launch within next 5 minutes.

poppafred · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:39 AM

Spectator on 4 wheeler advises on scene personel that flooding of Huggins Loop usually precedes flooding and closing of Hiway 23 by 2 hours. One responder from Johnson Co advises he is 10-7, truck is under water.

poppafred · #8 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:42 AM

Observer at Turner Bend advises Hiway 23 will be blocked by flood waters within next few minutes. Waters are within inches of crossing over the pavement. Only law enforcement and emergency service responders are being allowed into the area.

poppafred · #9 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:42 AM

First boat in the water.

poppafred · #10 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:47 AM

Franklin Co. Auxillary Deputy has checked Hiway 23 and water has NOT covered roadway.

Resucue boat has capsized!!

3 rescuers in the water. 1 visible, 2 others gone from sight.

Boat is upside down and being swept downstream at about 45 mph.

poppafred · #11 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:50 AM

Calls are being made to get helicopter assistance from Benton and Baxter counties.

poppafred · #12 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:53 AM

Barnes FD volunteer has taken up position at Turner Bend bridge to monitor water levels and watch for responders who were dumped into the Mulberry River. That is 6 miles down stream from incident site.

Helicopters are grounded by weather and will not be able to respond.

poppafred · #13 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 01:59 AM

Franklin Co. SO has just requested Hiway 23 be closed by state highway department because of multiple emergency vehicles along highway at Mulberry River reported now at 16 feet and rising rapidly. Swiftness of rise indicates river will not crest for quite some time.

poppafred · #14 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 02:04 AM

Franklin Co Sheriff is ordering dispatch to call state governor and request an emergency declaration and helicopter support from national guard.

poppafred · #15 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 02:09 AM

2 rescue swimmers have been spotted clinging to tree tops. 1 still not visible. Hiway 103 from Oark is now impassable. Washing Co swift water team on scene and preparing to launch one boat.

bono_328 · #16 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 02:12 AM

keep up the good work on the updating. hope everyone makes it hope safely to there families

poppafred · #17 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 02:20 AM

On-scene commander has requested Turner Bend store be opened to provide staging point and fuel support for emergency vehicles.

Hiway 23 is closed. Rescuers have positioned themselves on Turner Bend bridge with lights and ropes. Confirmed sighting of 2 rescue swimmers. Ark Game & Fish officer from capsized boat has not been sighted.

Store owner has advised OSC his employees are attempting to save their rental canoes and will open the store as soon as those are secured.