Flooding on Arkansas West Bank of the Mississippi: Tom Sawyer RV Park Evacuated

The Tom Sawyer RV Park is on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River. It is located on the river side of the levy near West Memphis , Arkansas. In March, the river rose to the point of flooding the park. When the river gets to 31.4 feet, the passage into the park is underwater and all of the tenants have to move to higher grounds and safer land. The flood stage is 34 feet, and after this the river will breach the banks. As the river rises, it will flow in and will fill up on the levy side and consequently blocked the entrance. As it continues to rise above the 34 foot level it will come out of the banks. This March the Old Man River rose enough to cover the park with 6 feet of water.

The tenants had to move to another park several miles away. They used the KOA in Marion , which is about 7 miles away and how of danger. Two families stayed as they were park employees, and the owner stayed because he lived up on the old levy. They had to use a boat to evacuate to a place just east of the park. At this point, the river runs East and West as it makes a curve just South of the I 55 and I 40 bridges as it passes Memphis Tennessee . One family that stayed had two children and they had to boat out to go to school. The parents had to boat out to buy groceries and needed items. A few snakes decided to move in but were quickly moved out.

The water rose to about 6 ft in the Tom Sawyer RV Park. After about 6 weeks, it receded so the employees could move the brush and trees that had floated into the park. Large trees that were about 40 feet long ended lodged amongst the trees that were still standing in the park. Then the people that resided in the park on a monthly basis were allowed to return. There was a lot of cleaning and moving going on. The owner has installed mobile bathrooms, and laundry buildings that can be moved to higher ground if flooding should happen. All sites had to be pressure washed to remove the mud and debris. Plenty of hauling had to be done to remove the brush and other debris that gathered around individual lots.

The water has receded in all is well. The trees are full of greenery and looking beautiful as they once were. The birds are back and a few turkeys have returned. The geese and squirrels are abundant began. The residents of the park consider this an experience that will be in the memories for lifetime, and experience they don't want to live through again.