LANGLEY, Ark. — Search crews on Monday found the last person known to have gone missing when a flash flood swept through a popular campground, but they planned to continue looking, authorities said Monday.
Searchers found the body of the 20th known victim floating in the Little Missouri River, State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said. A heavy storm in the area sent a wall of water rushing down the river before dawn on Friday, surprising sleeping campers at the Albert Pike Recreation Area and sending them frantically scurrying toward higher ground.
Sadler did not identify the latest victim, and did not say whether the person was an adult or child. He also didn't say why crews continued searching.
Eighteen of the 20 victims have been publicly identified, and there were seven children age 7 years or younger among them. Eight of the 18 were from Louisiana, seven were from Texas and three were from Arkansas.
Dozens of people were feared missing after the flood, but authorities on Sunday narrowed their search to just one remaining person.
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Floodwaters rose as swiftly as 8 feet per hour, pouring through the remote valley with such force that they peeled asphalt from roads. Cabins along the river banks were severely damaged, and mobile homes were tossed on their sides.
Forecasters had warned of the approaching danger in the area during the night, but campers could easily have missed the advisories because the area is isolated.