Is the Mississippi River Flooding in Arkansas?
At the time of writing, the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin is undergoing a devastating floods—with the Mississippi River in Arkansas experiencing significant flooding as a result.
Due to excessive amounts of rainfall from this season, Arkansas’ Black, White, and Arkansas Rivers are overflowing, adding to the volume of water in the lower Mississippi basin. According to data from the National Weather Service, the Mississippi has risen to major flood stage—nearly 11 feet above flood stage, with some areas more significantly impacted. Further, the Arkansas, along the lower Mississippi basin, reached a record 15.74 feet, causing widespread damage.
The magnitude of this event is undeniable. According to meteorologists, the amount of rain and runoff that has occurred in the last two weeks is comparable to what normally transpires in a six-week period. The severity of the flooding is evidenced in numerous levees being breached, as well as numerous communities being completely submerged under water.
To cope with the disaster, many local and state governments have taken to issuing warnings and recommending evacuations. Furthermore, the Governor of Arkansas has declared a state of emergency with an emphasis on efficient evacuation strategies, disaster relief efforts, and medical assistance for those affected. On the other hand, some communities have had to deploy sandbags around the water’s edge to protect property and infrastructure.
Experts are in agreement that the flooding is beginning to break records. Richard Cahoon, a hydrologist at the University of Arkansas stated "It is the worst we have seen since the floods from the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927." Clyde Hall, another hydrologist at the same university said "The flooding hasn’t been this severe since then." As a result of the extent of the flooding, damages have been estimated to be over two billion dollars.
Additionally, the effects of the flooding include the displacement of thousands of people and the pervasive destruction of homes, businesses and farms. Little Rock Zoo has also had to evacuate some animals and move them to temporary enclosures as a precautionary measure.
At this point, no one can accurately predict how much worse the flooding will get. Meteorologists add that this season’s slow onset heavy rainfalls will have a long-term effect and could last for the remainder of the year, if not longer. It is far too soon for anyone to tell the extent of the damage or even to determine the financial and emotional losses that have been caused by the floods.
Effects on Nature and Wildlife
Apart from the destruction that it has caused on settlements and businesses, the flooding of the Mississippi river also affects nature and wildlife. Environmental experts have noted that riverside vegetation have been washed away, resulting in the destruction of nearby wetlands. This change in vegetation structure and coverage offers an altered flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which threatens fish and the aquatic species in the river.
Furthermore, the flooding of the river is causing the displacement of animals, who are already facing the threat of extinction. Particularly, the displacement of migratory species is a cause of concern as they are being forced to fly to other parts of the country, which can lead to them facing new threats and uncertainty.
In addition to the destruction of borders, riverside animal habitats are also being altered as the excess water levels are damaging dens and nesting sites, where some animals take refuge. Consequently, many species are left without a source of sustenance and could face increased susceptibility to diseases.
Recently, regulators from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have announced that they are taking steps in the direction of preventing further destruction, by curtailing the use of the river for shippers. This will be done to minimize the erosive power of the waters and thus put an end to the tragedy.
Overall, apart from the destruction on settlements, the flooding of the Mississippi river is also adversely impacting nature and wildlife. Unless drastic measures are taken, it is highly probable that the situation is only going to get worse.
Economical Effects
An unseen consequence of the floods is the crippling of the regional economy. With the abnormal increase in the river levels, a majority of the key tourism spots and recreational areas have either been submerged or heavily damaged.
The economic implications are further extended, as the residents and businesses are facing losses due to damaged or stranded inventory. Businesses connected in or around the tourism industry, such as shop owners, hotels, and restaurants are suffering the most, as customers have dwindled drastically.
In addition to the direct losses, many of the farmers and fishermen are also experiencing hardship due to washed away crops and depleting water fish stocks. At the same time, local governments are facing financial difficulty as emergency funds are running short, while forcing them to seek additional funding.
Apart from the short-term effects, there will be far-reaching repercussions on the economy in the form of reduced tax income. As the situation stabilizes, employees will lose out on job opportunities due to the destruction of workplaces and insufficient resources to operate the business. Furthermore, the tourism industry, being the major economic driver in the region is likely to take a hit and should expect lower profits in the near future.
In light of the above-mentioned, it is clear that the economic implications of the floods are dire in nature and shall be impossible for the residents to make up for in the short-term. Thus, it is essential to take not only precautionary measures but steps in the direction of providing economical relief and assistance.
Social Implications
The flooding of the Mississippi has had a negative impact on the social life of the region. Not only is it causing destruction and displacement of people, but also drastically altering the social fabric of the communities.
Hundreds upon hundreds of people have been left homeless, while numerous others are staying with family and friends in shelters located away from their homes, feeling disconnected from their community. As a result, they are forced to abandon their day-to-day routines and often those who are social and emotionally distant suffer the most.
Further, due to the destruction of roads and infrastructure, resuming the basic functions of attending to work and school has become a challenge. With traffic have been cut off at several points and disaster teams taking up many of the roads, commuters have to travel to long distances for daily activities. This further adds to the stress and fatigue, coupled with the trauma of the flooding.
Overall, the social fabric of the affected communities and families have been changed, making regular activities and interactions harder. Thus, it is highly important to not only assist with physical displacement but also the social and emotional implications.
Conclusion and Remediation
The Mississippi River flooding in Arkansas has afflicted a number of counties, with extensive damage to property, nature, and wildlife. Thousands of people have been displaced, while numerous businesses and resources have been destroyed.
Fortunately, all counties have taken steps to contain the situation and provide assistance and relief to those affected. The Governor of Arkansas has also declared a state of emergency, and disaster management teams are actively engaged in assisting with evacuation strategies, while relief and medical aid are offered. Although the task ahead is daunting, local and state regulators are handling the disaster effectively.
In conclusion, it is clear that the Mississippi River flooding in Arkansas has left a trail of destruction in its wake. To prevent further damage and help those affected, all resources must be invested in remediating the situation whilst providing relief and assistance to families and individual affected by the floods.
