PINE BLUFF -- Hundreds of Jefferson County residents have been busy over the past week, cleaning up their homes after floodwaters that had crept into them abated.
The Arkansas River crested in Pine Bluff on June 4 at 46 feet -- 4 feet above flood stage -- marking the fifth-highest level ever recorded there, officials with the National Weather Service have said.
More than 200 homes had water in them in Island Harbor Estates, Raydell, Wright, Swan Lake and other areas along the river during the flood's peak.
Jefferson County sheriff's office deputies patrolled the area during the flooding to ensure that there was no looting of the empty houses and to keep sightseers from creating wakes by driving or boating through the flooded neighborhood.
A dollar amount for the damage has not yet been assessed, Jefferson County Emergency Management officials said.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson declared Jefferson County and 30 other counties as disaster areas after the recent storms and flooding, making state aid available to help with cleanup efforts. He has asked for federal agricultural assistance for 37 counties and said he will seek broader federal aid if the storm damage meets the required dollar-amount threshold.
At Jody Swanson's home near the Arkansas River in Jefferson County, mud-caked floors stretched from room to room, and much of her furniture sat in ruin.
Swanson said she was able to move some valuables to her sister's house in Sheridan, but not everything.
"We are just trying to take it all in stride," Swanson said. "It could have been so much worse. It could have been a tornado that swept everything away. All in all, I think we are blessed."
Regina Smith had several feet of water inside her home during the flood's peak and is worried about wildlife that could have been left behind. She said she has seen several snakes slithering near her home while she has been working to clean up the mess.
"It's a big concern," Smith said. "You have the water to deal with, but there are also dangerous animals, as well. The last thing I need right now is a snakebite."
Smith moved all of her belongings out of her home before the floodwaters arrived and said she is planning to leave permanently.
"I can't go through this again," she said, tearing up. "It's just too much."
Pine Bluff Treasurer Greg Gustek, who lives on Riverside Drive, said he stayed in his home during the flooding and watched as the river crept closer and closer to his front door. Gustek moved up to the second floor of his home and was lucky enough to escape serious damage from the rising water.
At the Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff on Friday afternoon, workers were busy cleaning up the grounds for a Saturday reopening.
While water surrounded the property during the flooding, the center stayed dry because it's built on stilts. The center's walking trail was heavily damaged, though, and will likely not reopen for several weeks, center officials said.
Aid for flood victims has been abundant around Jefferson County in recent days.
Capt. David Leonard with the Salvation Army in Pine Bluff said his agency has served nearly 3,200 meals -- twice each day -- to residents and volunteers in the flood zone. And while most of the homes are now free of water, Leonard said the Salvation Army will continue to offer assistance by serving meals and handing out cleaning supplies.
"I met a woman the other day who said she had been promised by other people that help would continue, but she said she had not seen anyone before I arrived," Leonard said.
"She cautioned me not to promise to help, but I looked at her and told her that if she needed me, just to call me anytime, and I would be there. She hugged me and cried for about four minutes. Since then, she has hugged me every time she has seen me.
"We are about more than just helping people with supplies. We are there for emotional support, as well."
Leonard said cleanup is likely to take several weeks.
Area churches are also offering aid and emotional support.
At the Hazel Street Church of Christ in Pine Bluff, evangelist Roger Gean said his church has gathered $100,000 in supplies through the Church of Christ network of churches to give away to those affected by the flooding.
He said the church can help replace appliances and furniture, and provide food boxes, personal-care items and cleanup supplies.
"We can't give them a whole room of furniture or appliances, but we can help with a piece here and a piece there," Gean said. "We plan on being there to help people back on their feet."
Volunteer Craig Williams of Little Rock said he drove down to assist flood victims after seeing the destruction on television.
He said he can volunteer only one day a week, but, "Just being able to see someone's face when you help them is priceless. I had someone in my life pick me up when I was down, so now I am just trying to do my best to give back."
State Desk on 06/15/2015