Arkansas Flood Waters Prompt Evacuation of Tiny Town (Video)

Around 250 residents of a small town in Arkansas have been evacuated by officials Friday, as a consequence of ever-rising flood levels. The flood is placing a levee, situated along Garland City’s Red River, in danger.

Thus far, all but four of the town’s residents have evacuated the region, following a recommendation made by Miller County emergency officials Thursday. The mandatory evacuation order was issued as engineers attempted to reinforce a levee that had been destabilized by “sand boil.” Sand boil typically takes place when floodwater creates a significant pressure difference between the two sides of a levee, ultimately leading to internal erosion and destruction of the embankment.

Emergency crews were keen to point out that the levee had not failed, and the midnight evacuation order was merely announced out of an abundance of caution. The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management were in the process of moving water into a pond on the other side of the levee, in an attempt to equalize the pressure.

Residential areas had been hard hit by intense flooding as far south as Shreveport, Louisiana. On Friday, Governor Bobby Jindal - who recently flew over the worst affected regions - stated that the National Weather Service (NWS) fears the Red River will soon reach record levels. The NWS claims Shreveport’s water levels will peak at just over 36 feet on Sunday, potentially remaining at this level for several days.

A handful of the residents remain housed at an emergency shelter in Texarkana, with most homeowners electing to stay with family and friends. A spokesperson for the emergency management agency, Rich Fahr, explained that it would likely be “a few days” before the town’s people could return to their homes.

KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana News Weather