Despite warnings, Arkansas campground’s isolation contributed to flash flood toll

Ark. campground’s remoteness added to flood’s toll

LANGLEY, Ark. — With the recovery of the 20th and perhaps last victim from flash floods in Arkansas, attention is turning to whether visitors to a remote campground received sufficient warnings about an approaching wall of water.

Worried forecasters sent warnings four times in an hour early Friday. But the Albert Pike Recreation Area in Montgomery County has no sirens, no park ranger on site, poor radio reception and spotty cell phone service.

The U.S. Forest Service is reviewing how to improve communication to remote camp sites in Arkansas and around the country.

Campers would have been told about a flash flood watch posted at midday Thursday, but the flood arrived after 2 a.m. Friday when many were asleep. At times, the Little Missouri River rose eight feet per hour.