Friday, June 11, 2010

Albert Pike tragedy

The most horrific natural disater happened at the Albert Pike campgrounds in Langley, AR today. I don't personally know anyone affected by the event but have hurt so much today for the pain they are feeling. The tragic incident tore so many families apart by death. My mind can't seem to wrap itself around the horror that the mothers and fathers went through during the wretched flooding and what they are feeling now with the many losses. I live about 70 miles from this place, but spent my childhod summer vacations at a place called Shady Lake on the other side of this same mountain. I am almost 30 and it would have never occured to me to leave because it was raining. Arkansas weather is iratic. It might rain for 2-3 hours but come morning it's hot as a timber fire in your face and beautiful. It's likely muggy with so much moisture in the air you feel like your drinking in the air instead of breathing. The rain washes all the dust off the leaves and everything is green around you. I have heard some people ask why these people weren't warned but that isn't possible in such an area. There might be two park rangers on duty but at 3:00 am they are asleep too! No, there wasn't any way to warn the campers that they were in grave danger. Many of the campers were probably lifers(people that had camped there for years) and probably wouldn't have left the area even had they heard the warning. They would have waited until they saw they were going to impacted and by then it would have been too late to get safety for some. I know that community members and rescue workers are holding a candlelight vigil for the lost and broken hearted campers. Here's my prayer. Please God help these families during this time. Heal and mend their broken hearts. Amen.

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