Water rescue on the Little Mo

[Cowper]

I think I'll most likely head down with a raft in the morning, and just hope they'll let some of us help. I'm losing hope for a decision tonight on whether or not to allow non-professionals into the area; the Incident Commander has bigger problems right now that will most likely lead to a decision to continue keeping the area secured from general public access.

My thoughts are to hope for someone just lost, but recognize that more likely we'll be looking for those it is too late to help and just marking locations for follow-up by others.

The raft will give me an option to carry an officer or regular rescue squad voluteer if that is desired.

If anyone has a sat phone, this might be a time to bring it out.

[Catman Joe]

Just heard on national radio that kayaks and canoes were on the water. GratZ.

[Renee H]

Cowper, I heard Adam Willard has a raft as well. It will probably be on the low side, but I guess it can't hurt to take rafts down. I really hope you guys find those missing just wondering in the woods. I wish I could go, but I just don't have the stomach or emotional stability to be able to see what I am afraid people might see tomorrow.

On another note, Jeremy Mackey said the relief centers have plenty of water, but could use powdered (or bottled - I guess) gatorade to keep people hydrated. If someone wants to pitch in for me, I am good for the money. Cowper - if you pick some up or something, let me know how much and I will pay you. It is the only way (right now) that I can help. Good luck to all those headed that way. Sabrina says she thinks there will be plenty of boaters tomorrow.

[BooF4FooD]

Friend of mine went to walmart in new Boston, tx, and asked if they could help.... They donated her a complete truck load of water... You may want to look into that

[Cowper]

To all who have offered to help with the search tomorrow, I thank you.

There are now enough converging on Langley that we run some risk of getting in the way or overwhelming them.

What I don't know is whether there will be help of other kinds needed; they may need folks to run stretches of the Caddo, or maybe not. Tamara/James Tate report that the Caddo was searchable by motorboat today, and that was done.

If you have not already made arrangements and feel compelled to come do something, then your best bet is to go to the headquarters at the Langley Post office and just ask what you can do. Don't be surprised if you are turned away; it is a madhouse down there based on everything I'm hearing.

[Paddlegal]

Some sad stories developing in the news. A lady who lives in the area went out after the event and found a woman and her 2 year old on the bank, the baby was drowned. She wrapped the infant in a blanket and sat there ministering to the mother.

I fear to hear exactly how many children were lost. Everyone takes their kids camping.

No records of campground population. that was all washed away...

[CSH]

If the club decides to make a monetary contribution to search and rescue/recovery or a rebuilding/relief effort, let me know. I would like to put in my share.

Chris

[Wildwood]

Good idea, Chris. Just think how it might have turned out if there was a warning horn, similar to the ones at dams that signal generation is about to start . . .

Count me in on a donation.
Jan

[Paddlegal]

Good idea, Chris. Just think how it might have turned out if there was a warning horn, similar to the ones at dams that signal generation is about to start . . .

Count me in on a donation.
Jan

That was my initial thinking however, i read that this was a 100 year flood event, the river's rate of rise could not have been predicted. That did make me feel a little better about the authorities. I was angry at first that people had not been warned.

[FarPastGone]

Wow this is terrible, I talked to Ryan Center last night and he gave me a heads up on this, but I just didn't comprehend the severity of the event until now. I hope stories of survivors among the missing start to emerge. I don't want to turn this into a debate or detract from this tragic event, but I have a couple of comments.

The "100-Year Flood Event" is a misnomer, it is actually a statistical probability based on recorded flows that an event of equal or greater magnitude (of the highest recorded flood event) will occur in any given year. Since the USGS gauging station for the Little Missouri has only been recording data for 20 years (1988) there is not as accurate an idea of what this is for the river. Human observations are able to provide as good an idea of equal events in inhabited history, which according to the NWS there is evidence of a similar event in 1968 based on reports, but this was a huge event nonetheless.

Among all the responsibilities of the Forest Service; conservation, preservation, extraction, recreation, maintenance, and a number of other duties, throughout the 193 million acres of land (which is over 300,000 square miles, or nearly 8% the total area of the United States) they manage, recreational opportunities are not their primary focus nor are they gone about in the same manner as in National or State Parks. In almost all cases the infrastructure is less developed and at most there is a camp host present or person who is responsible for fee collection in the mornings. You take into account the infrastructure in place, the storm and terrain variables (time, intensity, slope, etc), and the fact that the NWS didn’t issue a Flash Flood Warning for the area until 2AM it resulted, as we saw, in a worst case scenario. Checking the weather and then planning and preparing accordingly is a good practice for all campers and camping, whether it is primitive or not, and that is the individuals responsibility. What sucks is a well established campground was in the floodplain and probably made those affected feel safe from floods or gave the impression that because it was there it was safe.

If you are going to color the USFS as responsible or vilify them just remember that almost all employees that work in that area are also residents there, no one likes to see this kind of tragedy anywhere, let alone in their backyard happening to their neighbors. Like Cowper said, nobody was prepared for the magnitude of this event.

- Matt

[Wildwood]

I've not been angry, don't blame anyone. I'm just sad that something so tragic has happened in that beautiful place, to unsuspecting people out to have a good time with family & friends.

[Tamara]

The efforts continues. It is looking pretty grim. James has been up there for 2 days now and will be going back tomorrow. I know there are a number of ppl from this club that are there and helping and thank you for your efforts. I heard on the TV that a "specialty group of rafters" where in the area to help and think I saw the back of Cooper's head in the raft on Tv . :) I just wanted to say THANKS to everyone. And FYI. There is talk ( off the grid ) about and an early warning system for the area because for now talk is the campground will be put back togeather.
Paddle safe, Tamara

[Paddlegal]

If you are going to color the USFS as responsible or vilify them just remember that almost all employees that work in that area are also residents there, no one likes to see this kind of tragedy anywhere, let alone in their backyard happening to their neighbors. Like Cowper said, nobody was prepared for the magnitude of this event.

- Matt

I did not mean to indicate I was angry at anyone person or organization. I was mad that there was no notification possible. I guess I was railing at fate........anger was my initial reaction.

[Bullwinkle]

First off, let me say that as post #58 of this thread, I can't add much to the outpouring of sympathy and caring that the ACC community has expressed both over this forum and from word of mouth. It's easy to sit up here in Iowa, trained as a SAR Tech II person and yet to use those skills in a meaningful way. Prayers have been sent and we will have a moment in church tomorrow morning for those devastated by this flood. Those flood numbers are absolutely off the charts.

I remember when the big flood in December of 1982 hit down there. Robert Colvert, his girlfriend(now spouse) Renee, and I drove down there to witness first hand a flood we thought we'd likely never see again in our lifetimes. After taking the archival photos of Cossatot Falls and the Hwy4(back then) bridge, we headed back for the Little Mo and put in at Albert Pike and it didn't take long to get to Hwy 84. The slides I have of the 84 bridge on the way to the Tot that morning showed about 3 feet of airspace between the river level and the bottom of the bridge. The Caddo I think had gone over the Hwy 70 bridge sometime during the night IIRC. The rains in 1982 came in two separate waves, but fairly close together. Sounds like this storm was more like a dam breaking than a rain event. With it being December, likely a few deer hunters out there, but not like early June when you know the campgrounds and woods will be filled with campers.

Iowa had it's flood issues two years ago and the state is still not totally back to normal. I hope all that are still alive get the assistance they need; be it getting fished out of or near the river, or help getting their lives back together.

I'll listen in a little closer than normal and hopefully hear from those that were able to and allowed to help out.

God Bless Arkansas and those in need at this hour.

DM&FS

[Karla]

I read somewhere that one body was found 8 miles downstream.