Deadly flooding took the lives of 20 people at a South Arkansas campground just last month. Saturday the rescue workers, families, and community gathered at a local church to remember those who died and see the campground that claimed so many lives.
It's been a month and a half since the deadly flood waters claimed 20 lives at the Albert Pike Campgrounds in Langley. And for many, Saturday was the first time their family members have been back.
"Some of the immediate family members, the husbands, the brothers, the grandmothers, they had never been there. It was just traumatic. It was their first experience with the total destruction," said pastor Graig Cowart.
The families toured the campground, which is still closed to the public, to try to gain closure in the place where their loved ones died.
The Basinger and Smith families camped together at Albert Pike.
"We've been coming here for years. That's their favorite place," said Kerri Basinger.
Kerri lost her husband and two children in the floods. She was rescued from the waters. Her best friend Candace Smith also lost her husband and two children.
"We have a sense of peace coming back. I will never camp there again just because of the memories, but it is a place I would like to come back to every once in awhile. That's where our families were," said Basinger.
The families waited for word on their loved ones at a nearby church. This is where they returned Saturday to talk with rescue workers and other victims. They have kept in close contact with the pastor, Graig Cowart. They say he has been their rock.
"If God had to pick a place for this to happen to us, we're glad this is where we were sent to. I don't know if we could get through the first four days that we were here without them," said Smith.
Basinger and Smith say with the pastor's help, they are beginning to rebuild their lives.
"We get a sense of peace from coming here. We have a new family when we come here. And when we decide to go down to Albert Pike, we know we're not going alone," said Basinger.
Early next month the families will be able to go to nearby town Glenwood and retrieve their loved one's belongings that were recovered from the area. The week after property owners in the area will be able to get their items.
It's been a month and a half since the deadly flood waters claimed 20 lives at the Albert Pike Campgrounds in Langley. And for many, Saturday was the first time their family members have been back.
"Some of the immediate family members, the husbands, the brothers, the grandmothers, they had never been there. It was just traumatic. It was their first experience with the total destruction," said pastor Graig Cowart.
The families toured the campground, which is still closed to the public, to try to gain closure in the place where their loved ones died.
The Basinger and Smith families camped together at Albert Pike.
"We've been coming here for years. That's their favorite place," said Kerri Basinger.
Kerri lost her husband and two children in the floods. She was rescued from the waters. Her best friend Candace Smith also lost her husband and two children.
"We have a sense of peace coming back. I will never camp there again just because of the memories, but it is a place I would like to come back to every once in awhile. That's where our families were," said Basinger.
The families waited for word on their loved ones at a nearby church. This is where they returned Saturday to talk with rescue workers and other victims. They have kept in close contact with the pastor, Graig Cowart. They say he has been their rock.
"If God had to pick a place for this to happen to us, we're glad this is where we were sent to. I don't know if we could get through the first four days that we were here without them," said Smith.
Basinger and Smith say with the pastor's help, they are beginning to rebuild their lives.
"We get a sense of peace from coming here. We have a new family when we come here. And when we decide to go down to Albert Pike, we know we're not going alone," said Basinger.
Early next month the families will be able to go to nearby town Glenwood and retrieve their loved one's belongings that were recovered from the area. The week after property owners in the area will be able to get their items.
