Gov. Beebe says portable cell phone towers being brought to flooded area to help reception

Beebe: Cell towers being brought to flooded area

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe says portable cell phone towers are being dispatched to flooded areas of the state so people still stranded can have better reception.

Beebe tells CNN that cell phone service where flooding occurred has been nearly nonexistent. Officials hope the cell phone towers will allow stranded people to call for help.

At least 16 people were killed and dozens more are missing after heavy rains caused the Caddo and Little Missouri rivers to climb out of their banks during the night. A campground packed with vacationing families was heavily flooded.

Two dozen people were hospitalized. Authorities rescued 60 others.