HOT SPRINGS — Starting Aug. 16, flood victims will have the opportunity to claim personal property impounded by the U.S. Forest Service after the June 11 flash flood at Albert Pike Recreation Area that killed 20 people.
The items will be in the Crawford Building at the Pike County Fairgrounds, 501 N. First St., in Glenwood, the Forest Service said in a news release.
Forest Service staff will be available at the fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the following dates: Aug. 16-21; Aug. 26-28; Sept. 3-4; and Sept. 10-11.
Tracy Farley, public affairs team leader for the Ozark-St. Francis and Ouachita National Forests, said the recovered items likely include “a wide variety of personal belongings.”
“There will not be any vehicles there,” Farley said, referring to the numerous vehicles damaged in the flood.
Area law enforcement personnel will supervise the personal-property identification and reclaiming process at the fairgrounds, Farley said. Recovered items have been kept at an undisclosed site.
Debbie Ugbade, public affairs specialist for the Ozark-St. Francis and Ouachita National Forests, said the items were recovered during a search along an 11-mile stretch of the Little Missouri River ravaged by the flood in the Ouachita National Forest.
“Our crews were out for several weeks following the flood, picking up items,” Ugbade said.
Ugbade said the Forest Service has compiled a list of those believed to be camping in the area when the flood hit.
“We are sending out letters and notification, and we’ll know who should be there to collect their items,” Ugbade said.
Arkansas, Pages 12 on 07/28/2010