Flooding affects north central Arkansas; warning in effect until 8:45 p.m.

UPDATE, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 9:30 p.m.:

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 then 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.

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.

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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.

EARLIER:

A portion of north central Arkansas is under a flood warning until 8:45 p.m. Wednesday.

According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, numerous automated rain gauges and local observations reported some locations receiving six inches of rainfall. Numerous creeks and rivers are flooding or still rising, including Crooked Creek, Sylamore Creek, Cadron Creek, Little Red River, Buffalo River, and the Upper White River. Numerous county roads have been washed out, and water levels along low-water crossings remain dangerously high.

The weather service said locations that will experience flooding include: Mountain Home, Heber Springs, Cherokee Village, Clinton, Salem, Yellville, Searcy, Batesville, Mountain View, Fairfield Bay, Melbourne, Marhsall, and Ash Flat.

The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) has activated its State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in response to the flooding.

Several counties in Arkansas have reported damages to infrastructure, road closures, and evacuations.

The following counties have reported impacts due to flooding:

• Baxter
• Cleburne
• Conway
• Faulkner
• Lawrence
• Marion
• Searcy
• Stone

The ADEM said Round Bottom Road at Herpel Road near Mountain View is flooded, and the evacuation of residents has been reported.

Hay bales, kayaks, and other objects, including a camper trailer, were shown floating down Sylarmore Creek into the White River in a video posted on the Stone County Leader Facebook page. The Leader reported that as much as 15 inches of rain fell overnight northwest of Mountain View.

The Creekside Health and Rehabilitation Senior Facility in Yellville reported 80-plus evacuees due to flooding. Residents were taken to the Marion County Community Center.

Thirty to 40 individuals in Flippin were also evacuated from their homes due to flooding. The American Red Cross is establishing a shelter where Flippin residents will be housed.

Greenbrier Gardens Apartment Complex reported that 30-plus residents were evacuated due to flooding.

The ADEM recommends the following tips to stay safe during flooding:

• Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
• Never drive around barricades because first responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911.
• Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
• Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
• Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.
• Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only go to the roof if necessary. Once there, signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwaters.