Deborah Koff Ross: “In the early morning hours of Friday, June 11, a sudden and devastating flash flood swept through the Albert Pike…”

“In the early morning hours of Friday, June 11, a sudden and devastating flash flood swept through the Albert Pike campground in southwest Arkansas. In just 4 short hours, the Little Missouri River along the Ouachita National Forest rose from 3 feet to 23 feet. The flood swept away tents, RVs and homes, and, tragically, took 20 lives, including many children, making it one of Arkansas's deadliest flash floods in a generation. However, this tragedy's impact is far-reaching, as many of the victims were from surrounding States, including from Congressman Hall's district in Texas and from Congressman Fleming's district in Louisiana. They join me here this evening as we remember those who died in this flood. I also want to commend the outstanding work of our first responders-- local, State, Federal--and fellow Arkansans who reacted without hesitation and rescued literally dozens of people from the debris and rushing waters. My deepest thoughts and prayers and those of all Arkansans and all Americans are with the families who lost loved ones in these destructive flash floods.”