DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY
dewayne@mcnews.online
LANGLEY – While most people were preparing for a day with dad for Father’s Day the hearts of some families weighed heavily with the memory of a 15 year old tragedy that claimed the lives of 20 people at Albert Pike Recreation Area.
The flash flood that swept through parts of Albert Pike Recreation Area in the early morning hours of June 11, 2010 were later labeled as a “100 year event”, stressing the unique nature of the horrible tragedy.
Storms bringing heavy rain began moving into the area June 10, 2010 sparking flash flood watches for the area. As the evening hours drifted into early morning rain had increased to the point that the Little Missouri River and neighboring Caddo River were rising at a rate of eight feet per hour with the Little Missouri River peaking at over 23 feet near Langley.
The geological topography surrounding the Loop D section of Albert Pike resulted in a bottleneck for rising water flowing out of nearby streams and creeks feeding into the already swollen Little Missouri River. As the water levels quickly rose campers in the area had little warning of the danger quickly pressing upon them.
By the time the rain stopped and the flash flood began to recede with over 200 people caught in the event according to estimates by the American Red Cross. After search and rescue efforts ended it was discovered that 20 people, many of which were children, had lost their lives in the tragic event.
The victims were Anthony Smith, Katelynn Smith and Joey Smith of Gloster, Louisiana; Shane Basinger, Jadyn Basinger, and Kinsley Basinger of Shreveport, Louisiana; Robert Lynn Shumake; Wilene Shumake and Rick Shumake of Dekalb, Texas; Eric Sultz of Nash Texas; Sheri Wade of Ashdown, Arkansas, Leslie Jez and Kaden Jez of Foreman; Bruce Roeder, Debbie Roeder, and Kay Roeder of Luling, Louisiana; Julie Freeman, Kylee Sullivan, Gayble V Moss, and Debra McMaster of Texarkana, Texas
In the aftermath of the event the U.S. Forest Service closed campsites on Albert Pike Recreation Area with the area restricted to day use only. Public support for the reopening of the area to camping led to a study by the U.S. Forest Service U.S. Representative Bruce Westerman advocated for the reopening of the area to camping.
In December 2024, Congressman Westerman announced that camping was to return to Albert Pike Recreation Area thanks to the passing of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act, also known as the EXPLORE Act.
Included in the bill is a provision to reopen overnight camping at Albert Pike Recreation Area. Westerman stated in his column, “Numerous constituents have expressed their disappointment with the initial decision by the Forest Service to suspend overnight camping, and this bill will reinstate that access in addition to better management of the Albert Pike Recreation Area.”
Congressman Westerman’s EXPLORE Act will:
• Safely re-open any existing overnight campsites outside of the 100-year flood plain within 30 days of the bill’s enactment.
• Identify 54 areas that may be suitable for overnight camping in the recreation area within 6 months of the bill’s enactment.
• Establish at least 27 new overnight camping sites outside of the 100-year flood plain, including at least 8 with electric and water hookups, for public use within 2 years of the bill’s enactment.
• Require the rehabilitation necessary to make publicly accessible areas in APRA suitable for year-round day use.
