Arkansas floodwaters kill sheriff checking on residents

Y CITY, Ark. State game officials say a western Arkansas sheriff was killed when floodwaters swamped Scott County while the sheriff and a wildlife officer were checking on residents.

Keith Stephens of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said Friday the body of Sheriff Cody Carpenter had been recovered. The wildlife officer was still missing.

State police had earlier confirmed multiple fatalities but it wasn't clear whether the sheriff and wildlife officer were among them.

Lt. Col. Keith Moore with the Arkansas National Guard said a Blackhawk helicopter was deployed around 8 a.m. from Robinson Air Force Base in North Little Rock to Scott County to assist in the rescue mission, CBS Fort Smith affiliate KFSM-TV reports.

Stephens said Carpenter and the officer were in a boat checking on a home in the Y City area after the Fourche La Fave River rose sharply.

Weather data show the river jumped 23 feet overnight to 26 feet at Gravelly, 24 miles downstream from Y City. A crest is expected Friday at 26.5 feet, 2 1/2 feet above flood stage.