The search of Lake Harrison for a couple who disappeared in a flash flood on Nov. 30th was suspended Friday afternoon.
The Harrison Daily Times reports while the search for John and Amy Villines has been suspended, Mayor Jerry Jackson says city officials haven’t abandoned all hope of eventually finding their remains.
The Harrison couple was apparently swept away in their vehicle in a flash flood on Highland Street in Harrison.
Believing their bodies might have washed into Lake Harrison, it was drained so Crouse Construction could dig through debris hoping to locate any possible signs of the couple.
Earlier this month, city Finance Director Luke Feighert told Harrison aldermen based on overtime paid to city police, fire and street departments, the search costs had totaled $15,000. Costs submitted by Crouse Construction totaled $16,000 through Dec. 31st.
Public Works Director Wade Phillips says it looks like it’s going to cost about $5-$6,000 a week to have Crouse Construction continue clearing the lake.
Jackson says Crouse had pulled equipment off the lake area Friday afternoon. The entire lake had been searched with no signs of the couple.
Jackson said the city plans to continue to use dogs up and down the creek and even in boats on the water again.
He said dogs will be brought in again in the summer months when the lake is close to dry, noting that it has been a rainy couple of months.
In addition, volunteers will still be searching in canoes downstream from the lake.
Jackson said he and other officials met with families of John and Amy Villines Friday afternoon and explained the situation.
He says, “They are gone. There is evidence that it was just a tragedy and nothing else.”
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