Alva Review-Courier -

VAN BUREN, Ark. (AP) — State, local, federal officials gathered in western Arkansas last week to discuss the response to historic flooding along the Arkansas River in Arkansas and Oklahoma and ways to reduce damage in the future.

Following the closed-door meeting Tuesday, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Eric Noe said levees along the river "held up well," but need to be assessed for possible improvements, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

"That levee system is very, very good to protecting our communities," Noe said. "It held up extremely well given the extreme flood conditions last ye...