DARDANELLE, Ark. — The sound of rushing water on the Arkansas River is very concerning to residents in Dardanelle.
As of Sunday evening, forecasted levels are to reach 44 and a half feet.
"Dardanelle has not seen that number since 1943 and that was before the dam system was in place on the Arkansas River. So, it's a lot of unknown. In a disaster, it's easy to plan for a disaster and prepare when you have history to go off of and you know what's coming," said Jimmy Witt, Dardanelle Mayor.
"A lot of it will be proactive now and preparing, sandbagging, explaining to people you know in a low lying area that you want to put your stuff up off the floor."
In anticipation of what could be historic flooding, homeowners and volunteers have been preparing the sandbags for three days straight.
"I do believe that I'm far enough out that I won't need any but I do have family in town that are going to be using some," said Kim Whitney who is a Dardanelle resident.
With water covering basketball goals just down the road at Veterans Riverfront Park, they're preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.
"It's very, very important that the community comes together and supports one another," Whitney said.
The Army Corps of Engineers warns it is dangerous to stand or fish near the water right now.
Mayor Witt said the water is forecasted to crest closer to the end of the week, but residents should keep their eyes on alerts. He'll also post updates on his mayoral Facebook account.
"I will update two or three times a day. Every time I get out of a meeting or I have new information I will try to post that," Mayor Witt said.
The mayor said he'd gotten a lot of questions and speculation about the Highway 7 bridge closing. He said there aren't plans to close it but things are constantly changing as the water rises.