Zack Vaner's Upriver Adventures faces 16.3-foot flood in Arcadia
Water levels in DeSoto County have risen sharply since Wednesday, submerging roads near the American Legion and forcing residents to brace for a 16.5-foot peak.
By Camila Herrera ·
Upriver Adventures owner Zack Vaner measured the river at 16.3 feet on Thursday morning, a level he did not anticipate when he woke up. The water level has climbed steadily since Monday, turning drivable streets in Arcadia into impassable channels of rushing water.
On Wednesday, vehicles could travel down a specific street all the way to the American Legion. By Thursday, that route was cut off by rising floodwater. Residents standing near the site described water moving quickly around their feet and ankles.
DeSoto County officials forecast the river will crest at 16.5 feet, meaning more water is expected to arrive. Vaner noted that the field adjacent to his business would contain four to six feet of water if someone walked into it.
Kylah Engh, a part-time resident camper, left the area early on Wednesday because she knew flooding was imminent. She expressed concern for the safety of the people living in the community. Engh said, “We just hope everyone’s stuff stays OK, and the people that live here stay OK during this process.”
Many locals, including Vaner, want to return to work and daily routines as soon as possible. They hope the water will recede quickly so that houses and campers do not suffer further damage. The river is expected to continue rising until it reaches the predicted 16.5-foot mark.
