Flash Flood — Montgomery, Arkansas

2010-06-11 · near Slatington, Montgomery, Arkansas

Event narrative

Heavy rain fell on saturated ground during the wee hours of June 11th in an area characterized by steep terrain, limited access, and poor communications. Along the Little Missouri River, flash flooding developed rapidly at the Albert Pike Recreation Area in the Ouachita National Forest. The flood took 20 lives, injured 24, and necessitated the rescue of more than 60 people.

The nearest river gage indicated that flood waters rose more than 20 feet in 4 hours.

Motor homes, camping trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, tents, and people and their possessions were all caught up in the flood. Vehicles were washed downstream, asphalt was torn off roads, and boulders rolled down nearby steep hillsides.

An adjacent private campground, known as Camp Albert Pike, was flooded as well. Although no lives were lost there, cabins were destroyed along with additional vehicles, RVs, and camping trailers.

Aside from the flooding produced by the Little Missouri River, most of the creeks in the area overflowed their banks. Trees and other vegetation that had been mowed down by the swift water could be seen at a number of locations along Arkansas Highway 369. In addition, small rockslides occurred on several of the hills adjacent to the highway.

Flash flooding also occurred on the Caddo River around Caddo Gap. A cabin and canoe rental business had several cabins flooded, along with the office/bunkhouse building. One swift-water rescue of campers was necessary. Some cattle and horses were lost to the flooding.

On the Caddo River at Norman, several camping trailers were swept into the river.

Wider weather episode

A slow-moving upper level low pressure system was over east Texas on the 9th, over northeast Texas on the 10th, and over Arkansas on the 11th. Thunderstorms associated with this low produced severe weather and heavy rain at times.

Early on the morning of the 11th, excessive rains produced flash flooding in parts of western Arkansas, especially in southern Montgomery and northern Pike counties. A devastating flash flood swept through the Albert Pike Recreation Area in southwest Montgomery County, taking 20 lives.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.4328, -93.9348)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 224976. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.