FLOOD HITS NORMAN, CADDO GAP, GLENWOOD AND CAMP ALBERT PIKE
Last night, June 10, 2010, we had heavy rains in Montgomery county, on the west side in particular.
Camp Albert Pike was filled with campers, as were many areas along the Caddo River.
What started as a wonderful week or weekend of fun for families turned to tragedy in the wee hours of the morning as flood waters rose as much as eight feet in just one hour. In all the waters rose as much as 23 feet. The normally beautiful, calm, pristine waters suddenly became yellowed with mud and debris as they gained speed and rushed through the valleys, gathering everything in their path. Trucks, cars, motor homes, trees, picnic sites, camping tents and equipment, and yes, unfortunately people, were swept up in the muddy waters. Worst of all, many children were among those swept away by the almost instant flood. As of now the death toll stands at 17, with scores missing.
We have been told that a retaining wall near the campground at Albert Pike collapsed and this contributed to the magnitude and speed of the waters. Anyone who has ever camped or spent much time at Albert Pike is aware of the unusual beauty of the area. One of the attractions for "city folks" is that it is off the beaten path. Cell phones and TVs are usually not useful tools and for many this is a plus. This almost hidden garden of Eden is light years away from fast paced offices, bumper to bumper traffic, and cell phones in every ear. Here one can listen to the night sounds of the local birds, watch as the stars move across a beautiful clear sky, and just rest and relax while planning the next day's hike, fishing, hunting, or just laze around camp and meet the neighbors who are also seeking a little R & R. No one expected a flood. But it came.
Rains like this one usually come to our area in September, but even then this kind of flooding is not the norm. In the past ten years I've been documenting this type of flooding and we have had at least three floods of this magnitude, but not with the loss of life. All these occurred in September, a time when school is in session and few people are in the local camping areas.
One that comes to mind happened only a day or two before 9-11. I remember it well, because my brother-in-law was out-of-town and over 100 of his cows were washed into Kate's creek and on into the raging Ouachita river. One cow was lodged on a ledge about 12 feet above the river. Because the water receded almost as quickly as it had risen, the cow was stranded on this rock ledge. I have video of the neighborhood "cowboys" trying to get this cow to plunge back into the water so they could get her to safety. It wasn't going to happen. Finally one of the cowboys roped her and drug her off the ledge into the water where she swam to a nearby island. It was about five more days before they could get a cattle trailer in to get her. In the meantime they carried her food in.
Now, losing these cows was nothing compared to the loss of life we are hearing about at Albert Pike and along the Caddo River, and I only relate the cow story to impress on you how fast the water can come up, how swift and powerful it can be to wash away 100 cattle in a matter of minutes, and to deposit one 12 feet from the water's surface.
We can only imagine the agony, the fear, and the fight for life that these people went through in the darkness as they struggled to find something to hold on to, some way to seek higher ground. In a time like this, I can only think of one thing that could or would sustain me, my faith in God Almighty. Let us all pray that those who have not yet been found will survive and that they will be reunited with loved ones. As for those who lost their lives, we extend our sincere sorrow and sympathy to their families. May you somehow find peace.
We offer this in hope that you can fine comfort in it.
When tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind,
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die,
I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had had,
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you,
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His Great Golden Throne.
He said, "This is eternity and all I've promised you,
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew,
I promised no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way,
There is no longing for the past,
You had been so faithful,
So trusting, and so true,
Through there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do,
But you have been forgiven, and now at least you're free,
So won't you come and take My hand and share My life with Me."
So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.
Author unknown
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