Police in the southern US state of Arkansas say 16 people have died after flash flooding hit two campsites.

Rescuers are still searching for those trapped by the flooding and emergency workers say more than three dozen people are unaccounted for.

The National Weather Service said 7.6in (19.3cm) of rain had fallen overnight before the floods.

Two helicopters are taking part in the search, in a remote, mountainous area in the state's south-west.

The search operation is focused on campsites along the Little Missouri and Caddo rivers.

Police spokesman Bill Sadler told US network CNN: "We believe there are still individuals trapped in the area.

"The primary mission of the Arkansas state police working with the local authorities right now is to get the living out of that area and locate the dead."

Officials were bringing in a refrigerated truck to act as a temporary morgue, he said.

Police originally put the death toll at 12 but later updated it to 16.

It is not clear whether all those killed were staying at the campsites washed away by the flash floods.

Brigette Williams, of the American Red Cross in Little Rock, said between 200 and 300 people were believed to be in the area at the time but it was unclear how many were campers and how many local residents.

The flood damage is centred around the Camp Albert Pike area, 75 miles (120km) west of the state capital, Little Rock.

A river gauge at Langley, just south of Camp Albert Pike, showed the water rose 8ft (2.4m) in one hour, according to the US Geological Survey.

National Guard troops are helping to look for those affected.

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe told the Associated Press news agency the deaths had occurred at about 0530 local time, when the floodwaters reached their peak.

News Feed from BBC News