The news that as much as 20 or more people including children lost their lives due to flash floods overnight at the Albert Pike Campground in Caddo Gap, Arkansas came as a shock to many of us since it was an area not prone to flooding. All too often flash floods occur like the one in Fayetteville last December where one person was killed. I can also remember people talking about the great Johnstown flood in Pennsylvania where an entire town was wiped out due to a dam that burst.
Flash floods can occur within several seconds of intense rain, but they can also occur several hours after an intense rain. Mountainous areas like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are especially susceptible to such flooding. Many of the streams in the Park are located in deep ravines especially good candidates for flash floods. Current weather information, including road closings, for the GSMNP can be obtained by dialing (865) 436-1200.
I have camped in the Smokies possibly a hundred or more times during the last 25 years and on one occasion, we set up camp about 4 feet above a tiny stream only to be awaken during the night by water covering the floor of the tent. Fortunately, the worst thing about that was carrying the heavy sleeping bags down the hill. We certainly did not expect that to happen. On another occasion, it was necessary to cross a stream in order to return to camp, and the rains had already started, we were plain lucky to get across that stream without mishap, so be careful about the streams that you may have to cross.
Obviously, no hiker or camper expects to be flooded out, but it can occur without warning and in the most unlikely places such as the Albert Pike Campground. So caution is in order.
Always be sure to check the weather before you go into the Smokies remembering that the storms are often localized. Just as a precaution, camp at the highest location that you can find in the immediate area, and also it is highly advisable to have a radio along allowing you to keep tabs on the weather.