12/29/15   Flooding In The Pine Bluff Area

Pine Bluff Police Information Officer,  Lt. David E. Price made the following announcement in a news release today. 

Due to the heavy rainfall the past few days in western and northwest Arkansas, the Arkansas River is expected to rise to flood stage on Tuesday and crest at approximately 46 feet. This will exceed the level from flooding that occurred earlier this year.

The Island Harbor and Riverside Drive areas are expected to flood again and residents are already moving what property they can to a safe place. Also, patrons of the RV campground in Regional Park were advised to the leave the campground before the road out of Regional Park becomes impassable and, as of today at 1:30p.m, all campers in the RV park have evacuated.

Because of these unsafe conditions, the Pine Bluff Police Department is assigning extra patrols to the affected areas. Officers will not allow anyone that is not a resident of Island Harbor or Riverside Drive access to the area. Anyone wishing to enter the flooded area to check on their property will be required to provide a driver’s license or valid identification to prove they live in that neighborhood.

Also, anyone boating in the slack water harbor, officially known as Lake Langhofer, should be aware that any wake generated by the boat they are in can cause damage to homes that are on the verge of flooding or making the damage to homes that are flooded much worse. Please operate your watercraft at an idle when in the area of flooded homes and businesses.

Automobiles can also create a wake as they are driven through standing water and cause damage as well. Please be respectful of those that are victims of the flooding and don’t add to their problems by causing waves in the area with your boat or vehicle.

Remember the safety phrase regarding driving through high water:

Turn Around Don’t Drown!