Arkansas National Guard heads to Chicot County for flood preps

ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ark. -Arkansas National Guard troops were in southeast Arkansas before sunrise this morning to prepare for possible flooding in communities affected by the swollen Mississippi River.

A long two days for 90 Army National Guard soldiers as they try everything possible to maintain a compromised levee in Chicot County.

"The problem, boils sprung on by water levels of the Mississippi river. It's the shear amount of water up against the levee from the Mississippi is the concern," says one guardsman.

Major Ross Brashears says the issue isn't the height of the water as much as it is the pressure.

Boils are caused by seepage beneath the levee that pushes through not only water but silt used to maintain levee strength. If the problem isnt handled, the levee could ultimately breach. 

 "I haven't been given any indication of a concern for a catastrophic failure," says Brashears.

Thursday soldiers placed sandbags to force pressure back to the otherside. And at the same time battling the elements.

Prisoners from the Arkansas Dept. of Correction are also on hand. Their mission however is to clear brush so that soldiers can get a better look at the levee.

Cattle and bean farmer Ryan Elliott says he's already seen the effects of water from the Mississippi.

Question: Let's talk the agricultural side. What are we talking about there?

"Theres a lot of seepage here in the bean field alongside the levee. It's going to affect the beans. The beans aren't going to make it," says Elliott.

And now worries where exactly he'll move nearly 900 head of cattle should more water come through.

The Arkansas Corps of Engineers is also assisting with various techniques for balancing the pressure,

And while the Mississippi is not expected to crest for another three days, National Guard officials say theyll remain in place to monitor the problem.