Flood warning in effect until Friday evening for White River at Batesville

Above image: The White River at Batesville on Thursday morning. Photo by Emily Wang, White River Now

The National Weather Service in Little Rock has issued a flood warning for the White River at Batesville that is in effect until Friday evening.

The warning, issued right before 8 p.m. Wednesday, noted that the river is expected to rise above flood stage to a crest of 15.5 feet by Thursday morning and fall below flood stage early Thursday afternoon, according to the weather service. The flood stage is 15 feet. Minor flooding of agricultural land is expected at 15 feet along the river.

Several counties in Arkansas reported infrastructure damage, road closures, and evacuations due to flooding late Tuesday through Wednesday.

On Wednesday, a video posted on the Stone County Leader Facebook page showed hay bales, kayaks, and other objects, including a camper trailer, floating down Sylarmore Creek into the White River. The Leader reported that as much as 15 inches of rain fell northwest of Mountain View late Tuesday and early Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, photojournalist Brian Emfinger shared the footage below of a flooded campground at Sylamore Creek outside Mountain View on his social media page. According to the Sylamore Creek Campground’s Facebook page, no injuries were reported in the flooding.

In Yellville, the Creekside Health and Rehabilitation Senior Facility reported over 80 evacuees due to flooding. Residents were taken to the Marion County Community Center.

Remember: turn around — don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to recognize flood dangers.