Arkansas, 1999

Flash Flooding in Arkansas, January 29 to 30, 1999

January 29 to 30, 1999 · NWS JAN · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

Strong thunderstorms over southeast Arkansas caused flash flooding of small creeks and poor drainage areas, and with prolonged heavy rain, flooding occurred over most of Ashley and Chicot counties. Numerous roads were flooded and had to be closed forcing some schools and businesses to be closed.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$200,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
2

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS JAN wrote it up.

Strong thunderstorms over southeast Arkansas caused flash flooding of small creeks and poor drainage areas, and with prolonged heavy rain, flooding occurred over most of Ashley and Chicot counties. Numerous roads were flooded and had to be closed forcing some schools and businesses to be closed. Several bridges were washed out and water got into several homes.

The radar

The Little Rock radar (KLZK), 189 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:32 UTC.

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Event by event

2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Ashley

When
January 29, 9:30 AM CST to January 30, 3:30 AM CST
Where
Ashley County, Countywide
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.191, -91.768 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Chicot

When
January 29, 9:30 AM CST to January 30, 3:30 AM CST
Where
Chicot County, Countywide
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.267, -91.294 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Arkansas in 1999Every state in 1999This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, January 1999

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5682017, 5682018.