Hot Springs Keeping Eye Out for Hurricane Isaac

In downtown Hot Springs, the cleanup continues following a major storm just a few weeks ago.

Blue tarps and blown out windows can still be seen across the city.

City officials say cleanup is coming along well, but they are keeping a close eye on Isaac.

"We will have 2 or 3-hundred sandbags ready for downtown merchants," said Denny McPhate, Hot Springs Public Works Director.

"It looks like downtown could get a lot of rain from Isaac."

"They'll do some boarding up if it looks like it's going to be eminent."

And ensure tools are ready at a moments notice.

"We'll make sure all of our street equipment is gassed up, fueled up and and chainsaws we have fuel for those."

Gear still on hand after a powerful storm recently ripped through downtown shattering windows at Regions bank and several other buildings, as well as tearing a hole in the Austin Hotel.

"They've got tarps over them or ply wood up."

Hundreds of trees have been cleared away.

Helping in their preparation, Wednesday the city will test out a new flood warning system.

"We had this scheduled several weeks ago it's tied in with our U.S. Geological Survey flood warning system,
when it sends out an alert right now it currently it goes to a select few."

Now more folks will actually hear the warning in siren and audio for flooding or a tornado.

"It's going to be a 3 siren system."

A system tested just in time for hurricane season, a season that Mcphate says Hot Springs just can't seem to ever get away from.

"Everything drains through our Hot Springs Creek Tunnel which was built in the late1800's."

and while historic downtown hot springs seems to be a hot spot for major flooding - Mcphate says he is hoping any rain from Isaac, is only minor.

In Garland County Deedra Wilson KARK 4 news.