Ark. Gov. Beebe tours West Memphis flooding - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

Ark. Gov. Beebe tours West Memphis flooding

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WEST MEMPHIS, AR -

(WMC-TV) - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe got a closer look at the damage left behind by flooding in West Memphis Friday.

Beebe arrived at the West Memphis Airport by helicopter around 2:30 p.m. Friday. He was then taken by Arkansas State Police car to view the Mississippi River levee and meet with officials from the Army Corps of Engineers.

At the Port of West Memphis, Beebe surveyed the rising floodwaters along the Mississippi River. The governor later returned to the West Memphis Airport where he shared his observations with corps officials.

Beebe said while he is amazing by all the flooding, he wanted to calm any fears about a levee break in West Memphis.

"Think about all that water that drains from all of the mountains, valleys, gorges, and all rivers, tributaries and creeks in almost half of the US is flowing right back there," said Beebe. "Then you get a clearer idea as to why there's so much water and the power of that river. The current is moving at 40 miles per hour."

Beebe has added more than 60 counties in Arkansas to the list of state disaster declarations.

Copyright 2011 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.

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