April 28, 2008 - Des Arc, AR Floods

Our first task in Des Arc was to clean up a few neighborhoods of mobile homes along the river. The floodwaters at this point have receded by 60 percent. The roads were open just enough for us to get in with the equipment. Because the flood levels stayed up for so long everything in these homes was extremely heavy, stinky and molded. Many of the citizens could not even get things like couches out of their houses because they were so heavy. We helped in any way we could and found the people to be very thankful. They would say things like, “We have no clue what we would have done if you had not come. Our belongings would have stayed here for months in all these homes.”

We are going to be here for a few days. There are many homes and neighborhoods to help out in. The water came in so far in some areas it’s unbelievable. There is a judge in this small town, and it sounds as if he’s regarded as an unofficial mayor. He owns the nicest restaurant around, which is on a riverboat. He treated the Team and I to dinner, and we had a great time eating and talking with the local government and emergency leaders as well as many people from the community.

April 27, 2008 - Des Arc, AR Floods

Des Arc, AR, is only 4 hours south of Norfork. This city was our first stop with the rescue boat when the floods began four weeks ago. But for some reason the floodwaters at Des Arc did not recede much; the area is low so the water stays stagnant. When the rivers rose a second time, it only brought the water higher. Today, floodwaters finally began to recede.

We arrived very late tonight and were greeted by Sandra Patterson, County Emergency Operator Center Director. She was so thankful we were there to help their community. Small towns have small budgets and not much equipment in the municipality except two trucks and some small road repair equipment.

There were no hotels within 40 miles so Sandra offered us an old hunting cabin to stay in. It turns out it was where she and her husband were staying as well. Tim, Seth, Dave and I crashed in a room full of bunk beds. I’m having a hard time sleeping tonight because there are so many reports of potential tornados. We will finish what we came here to do but I always want to be aware of potential large deadly tornados happening elsewhere.