Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Arkansas, December 23 to 31, 2009

A record rainfall for the date occurred when 4.60 inches of rain fell. More importantly, the rain that fell on the 23rd assured that 2009 would be the wettest year ever recorded in Little Rock. Total rainfall for the year was 81.79 inches, breaking the record of 75.54 inches set in 1882.

Rain that fell on December 23rd assured that 2009 would be the wettest year ever recorded in Camden. Total rainfall for the year was 82.11 inches, breaking the record of 76.25 inches set in 1957.

Rain that fell on December 23rd assured that 2009 would be the wettest year ever recorded in Fordyce. Total rainfall for the year was 81.72 inches, breaking the record of 75.50 inches set in 1945.

A landslide took place on Gaither Mountain after heavy rain, snow, and freezing and thawing. Water lines separated in the shifting ground. A couple of power poles had to be replaced and power outages had to be remedied. Ridge Court developed a large crack. Blackjack Lane had large mounds pushed up in it.

Excessive rainfall on the 23rd caused widespread flash flooding. Numerous county roads were flooded, and many rescues were necessary.

Widespread heavy rain resulted in the development of flash flooding. Numerous county roads were flooded, as were streets in Arkadelphia. Garner Mountain Road was washed out. Arkansas Highway 53 northwest of Gurdon was partially blocked on the evening of the 23rd. By the wee hours of the 24th, Arkansas Highways 7 and 8 were blocked east of Arkadelphia due to water over the road. Arkansas Highway 128 was blocked as well. Arkansas Highway 26 was barricaded.

Widespread heavy rain on the evening of the 23rd led to the development of flash flooding. Numerous county roads were blocked due to flooding. One subdivision in Haskell was flooded.

Widespread heavy rain led to the development of flash flooding on the evening of the 23rd.

Heavy rainfall on the 23rd and 24th caused the Cache River near Patterson to rise once again above flood stage. The river remained above flood stage into January.

Heavy rain led to the development of flash flooding on the evening of the 23rd. Numerous county roads were flooded. One swift water rescue was necessary in Malvern. One lane of Arkansas Highway 7 was partially blocked at the intersection with Arkansas Highway 84.

Heavy rainfall on the 23rd and 24th caused the White River at Des Arc to rise above flood stage the evening of the 23rd. The river remained above flood stage into January.

Flash flooding occurred on the Ouachita River when releases from Remmel Dam were necessary. The flow from the dam reached approximately 67,700 cubic feet per second.

Rain that fell on December 24th assured that 2009 would be the wettest year ever recorded in Hopper. Total rainfall for the year was 90.45 inches, breaking the record of 85.56 inches set in 1957.

Rain that fell on December 24th assured that 2009 would be the wettest year ever recorded in Murfreesboro. Total rainfall for the year was 88.31 inches, breaking the record of 85.01 inches set in 1973.

Rain that fell on December 24th assured that 2009 would be the wettest year ever recorded in Crystal Valley. Total rainfall for the year was 85.53 inches, breaking the record of 81.37 inches set in 1973.

Rain that fell on December 24th assured that 2009 would be the wettest year ever recorded in Newport. Total rainfall for the year was 84.15 inches, breaking the record of 80.88 inches set in 1957.

Rain that fell on December 24th assured that 2009 would be the wettest year ever recorded in Morrilton. Total rainfall for the year was 76.86 inches, breaking the record of 73.58 inches set in 1957.

Widespread heavy rain resulted in the development of flash flooding early on the morning of the 24th.

Widespread heavy rain resulted in the development of flash flooding early on the 24th.

Widespread heavy rain led to the development of flash flooding early on the morning of the 24th.

Widespread heavy rain resulted in the development of flash flooding early on the morning of the 24th. Water rescues were necessary in Cabot.

Widespread heavy rain led to the development of flash flooding early on the 24th. Several streets in Brinkley were flooded.

Widespread heavy rain led to the development of flash flooding early on the morning of the 24th.

Widespread heavy rain led to the development of flash flooding early on the morning of the 24th.

Widespread heavy rain led to flash flooding early on the morning of the 24th.

Interstate 30 and its frontage roads were blocked by flooding from creeks in southwest Little Rock. The alternate route of Arkansas Highway 5 was flooded by the same creeks. As a result, traffic backed up for miles on the interstate, halting many people who were traveling for the Christmas holidays. One motorist was quoted as saying it took her five hours to travel one mile.

Flash flooding, which developed on the evening of the 23rd, became widespread areal flooding on the 24th and continued through Christmas. Numerous county roads were flooded. In the Jacksonville area, four houses had to be evacuated just north of town, and residents of the Taramount neighborhood had to reach their homes by traveling in boats and then walking the rest of the way. The Jacksonville Fire Department rescued people from cars floating on West Main Street. On Arkansas Highway 161 South, a home and some mobile homes were flooded. Flooding also occurred on Jacksonville Cutoff, where a used car lot and a self-storage warehouse were flooded. Many homes along Valentine Road were flooded as well. In Sherwood, flooding occurred in Indianhead Lake Estates, around Bronco Lane, Windchime, Silvercreek, Orchid Lane, in Gravel Ridge, and on Trammel Road from Landers Road to Roundtop Road. Five homes were evacuated off Stagecoach Road in southwest Little Rock. Arkansas Highway 338 was closed in southwest Little Rock. Pinnacle Mountain State Park was flooded.

Flash flooding, which developed early on the evening of the 23rd, became widespread areal flooding on the 24th and continued through Christmas. At least 12 homes in Shannon Hills had major flood damage. Numerous roads were closed in Benton. The driveway in front of the fire station washed out in Bauxite. Streets flooded in the Forest Cove and Sunset Meadows subdivisions in Bryant. The Saline River at Benton rapidly rose above flood stage just after midnight on the 24th, reaching major flood stage the evening of the 24th. The Saline River remained above flood stage through much of Christmas Day before falling below flood stage the evening of the 25th.

Flash flooding, which developed on the evening of the 23rd, became widespread areal flooding on the morning on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. A minor landslide occurred on West Mountain in Hot Springs. Part of Arkansas Highway 227 (Mountain Pine Rd.) had to be closed for awhile. Bridges that were washed out, damaged, or flooded including those on Deerpark Rd., Kelly Hollow at Wildcat Rd., Caddo Gap near Norman Dr., South Harris Rd., Holy Spirit Ln., Hughes Rd., Owl Creek Rd., Brady Mountain Rd., and Brady Mountain Cutoff. Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine rose rapidly out of their winter pools, approaching summertime lake levels. Docks broke loose in the Big Mazarn area, sending pieces of the docks, boats, personal watercraft, and other debris floating in Lake Hamilton. Boats and boat docks floated off on Lake Balboa and Lake Cortez in Hot Springs Village.

Heavy rain resulted in the development of flash flooding early on the morning of the 24th.

Widespread heavy rain led to the development of flash flooding early on the morning of the 24th.

Flash flooding, which developed very early on the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later in the morning on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning.

Flash flooding which developed early on the morning of the 24th became widespread areal flooding later in the morning and continued into the morning of the 25th. Arkansas Highway 85 was closed by flooding. Palarm Creek washed away part of Saltillo Rd. Roads that were under water included Wilson Bottoms Rd., Springfield Rd., Mallet Town Rd., Shaw Bridge Rd., Ridge Dr., Bayou Rd., Beryl Rd., and Otto Rd. The driver of a tank truck had to be rescued from high water on Wilson Bottoms Rd. In Conway, Trey Lane and Centennial Soccer Park flooded, causing the cancellation of the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Flash flooding, which developed early on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later in the morning on the 24th and continued for several days. Arkansas Highway 89 was closed near Furlow. Fire departments used boats to rescue five residents on Grayhawk Circle, where water was about 5 feet deep on Christmas Eve morning. Along Arkansas Highway 236 West, water was 4 to 5 feet deep on the road and even deeper in the houses. The South Bend Fire Department responded to 38 calls for rescues from vehicles trapped in high water, and assisted six families who needed to leave flooded homes. One motorist suffered hypothermia before he was rescued from his car. Problem areas included Graham Road, Kerr Station Road, South Kerr Road, Gentry Lane, Rifle Lane, and Shotgun Lane. Arkansas Highway 31 was flooded from Beebe to Lonoke. U.S. Highway 70 was closed by flooding between Carlisle and Lonoke. In Carlisle, part of City Hall flooded. In Lonoke, a number of homes and the city shop were flooded. County roads throughout the county were damaged.

Flash flooding, which developed early on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later in the morning on the 24th and continued through Christmas. Arkansas Highways closed due to high water included: 14 just off U.S. Highway 67 near Newport to Waldenburg, 226 from U.S. Highway 67 to the Jackson/Craighead County line, 224 in the Tuckerman and Swifton areas, 18 Spur to Grubbs, 17 from Weldon to Tupelo, 42 south of Beedeville, and 18. Jackson County Roads flooded included 42, 43, 81, 211, and 315.

Flash flooding, which developed early on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later in the morning on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. Numerous county roads and state highways were flooded. Approximately 25 homes were damaged.

Flash flooding, which developed early on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later in the morning on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. Flooding occurred on Arkansas Highways 87, 13, 323, 36, 11, and 16. Arkansas Highway 31 was flooded from Beebe to Lonoke, and from Floyd to Romance. Lake Barnett went over its banks, washing over Arkansas Highway 31 and the bridge at Gravel Hill. Two 80 year-old bridges were washed out at Vinity Corner.

Flash flooding, which developed early on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later in the morning on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. Numerous county roads and state highways were flooded. City streets in McCrory were flooded as well.

Heavy rain led to flooding in many parts of Sharp County. Bridges in Cherokee Village were flooded, as were Hulett Rd. at Center, Charleston and Blackstone Streets in Cave City, the Orr Ave. Bridge at Ash Flat, Carpenter Rd. at Evening Shade, and Barnes Rd. Other locations closed due to flooding in Cherokee Village were the Town Center bridges, East Lakeshore near Pontiac, North Golf Course bridge, Beach Club Hill, West Waketa and Allegheny at the bridge and Griffin Bridge. Woodland Hills Rd. was flooded in Hardy.

North Little Rock Road and Tri Lakes Road were closed due to flooding.

Heavy rain on the 23rd led to a landslide on Petit Jean Mountain early on the morning of the 24th. Mud flowed down onto Arkansas Highway 154. About 200 truckloads of mud, topsoil, and fallen trees had to be removed.

Heavy rain caused some low-lying areas to be flooded. Some roads were closed temporarily.

Heavy rain caused a tree to fall on an electric transmission line between Glenwood and Amity. Power was knocked out to 8,000 customers.

The Little Red River at Judsonia went above flood stage Christmas Eve morning, and then went below flood stage the afternoon of Christmas Day. During that time, area residents along River Bend Drive in Searcy watched as large portions of their back yards were washed into the river due to the high water.

Flash flooding, which developed early on the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. Point Cedar Road, near Amity, was blocked by flooding. Arkansas Highway 51 was blocked near Beirne, as was Arkansas 128 south of Joan. U.S. Highway 67 was flooded near Curtis. A high water rescue occurred on Arkansas Highways 7/8 about 4 miles east of Arkadelphia on Christmas Eve, after a motorist drove into flood waters. The two people rescued were taken to a hospital to be checked for hypothermia.

Flash flooding, which developed early on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later in the morning on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. Arkansas Highway 229 was closed south of Poyen.

Flash flooding, which developed on the evening of the 23rd, became widespread areal flooding on the morning on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. Many county roads were flooded. Some residents living off U.S. Highway 67 had to park on the shoulder of the highway and wade to their houses.

Jacks Creek flooded U.S. Highway 67/167 outside of Jacksonville. A considerable traffic back-up occurred, exacerbated by the large number of people traveling for the Christmas holidays.

Widespread areal flooding occurred in Dallas County. Arkansas Highway 8 was closed between Princeton and Dalark. Arkansas Highway 48 was closed between Farindale and Carthage, and Arkansas Highway 229 was closed near Carthage. Arkansas Highway 273 was also closed. A bridge was washed out on Dallas County 302 at Wave. Many roads around Sparkman were heavily damaged. Many other county roads had washouts around culverts.

Heavy rainfall on the 23rd and 24th caused the White River near Batesville to rapidly rise above flood stage the morning of the 24th before falling below flood stage during the early morning hours on Christmas Day.

Numerous streets were flooded in the Dark Hollow neighborhood of North Little Rock. Yards were covered in water, and the North Little Rock Fire Department evacuated about 20 people from their homes.

Widespread heavy rain flooded many roads. U.S. Highway 63 was flooded north of Warren. A swift water rescue was necessary on Bradley 22 near Warren. U.S. Highway 63 was flooded at its intersection with Arkansas Highway 160.

Three docks, with boats attached, broke loose from a marina after being struck by mud and debris. One of the docks, with several boats attached, traveled down the Little Maumelle River into the Arkansas River. It eventually crashed into the Interstate 430 Bridge over the Arkansas River. The dock ended up wrapped around a bridge support. The bridge was closed to traffic for a brief time, but was reopened after it was determined that the bridge was not damaged.

Flash flooding, which developed early on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later in the morning on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. Arkansas Highway 7 was flooded north of Camden. Road cave-ins occurred on Adams Ave., Roseman Rd., and Ouachita 143 off Old Wire Rd. Roads closed due to flooding included Ouachita 44, 45, 32, and 232.

Widespread heavy rain resulted in flash flooding on the 24th.

Widespread heavy rain resulted in the development of flash flooding on the 24th.

Widespread heavy rain resulted in the development of flash flooding on the 24th.

Heavy rain resulted in the development of flash flooding on the morning of the 24th.

Widespread heavy rain resulted in the development of flash flooding on the 24th. Numerous county roads were flooded.

The Dixie Addition in North Little Rock flooded. Water was several feet deep in some places. The North Little Rock Fire Department evacuated six homes on the 26th.

Flash flooding, which developed on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later on the 24th and continued into the 25th. Several county roads suffered significant damage. A bridge on Prairie Road, east of Kingsland, was damaged. Roads closed due to high water included Darby Crossing Road north of Kingsland, Brushy Creek Road between Rison and Woodlawn, Dunkeffie Road west of Kedron, and Harmony Church Road at Rye. The county road department had to repair washouts on 85 roads.

Flash flooding, which developed on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. Many county roads were flooded. Pine Bluff had some flooded streets, especially Hazel St. from 40th Ave. to Interstate 530, and Old Warren Rd. A number of streets in White Hall were flooded.

Flash flooding, which developed on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. Arkansas Highway 54 was closed at Glendale.

Flash flooding, which developed early on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later in the day on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning.

Heavy rainfall on the 23rd and 24th caused the Petit Jean River near Danville to rise above flood stage on the afternoon on the 24th. The river remained above flood stage through midnight on the 27th.

Heavy rainfall on the 23rd and 24th caused the Fourche LaFave River near Houston to rise above flood stage on the afternoon on the 24th. The river remained above flood stage for several days before falling below flood stage during the morning of the 28th.

Flash flooding, which developed on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning.

Flash flooding, which developed on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning.

Flash flooding, which developed on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. Numerous county roads were flooded.

Flooding caused water to enter 22 homes in the Windwood Addition. Evacuations were necessary. Nearby, a railroad trestle was washed out on the mainline between Little Rock and St. Louis.

Flooding caused about six residents of Higginson to be evacuated.

Heavy rainfall on December 23rd and 24th allowed the Ouachita River at Camden to rapidly rise above flood stage on Christmas Eve. The river remained above flood stage through early January. Some crops suffered damage.

An elderly woman was rescued after her car was swept off Oakdale Rd. by flood waters from Wattensaw Bayou. Her husband had to be rescued after he went looking for his wife and had his vehicle swept off Arkansas Highway 13 by the same bayou.

Areas of generally light snow fell across portions of the Arkansas Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas, causing area roads to become slick due to snow cover Christmas morning. Snowfall amounts of generally around one half to one inch were reported, with locally higher amounts of up to two inches of snowfall in the higher elevations.

Areas of generally light snow fell across portions of the Arkansas Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas, causing area roads to become slick due to snow cover Christmas morning. Snowfall amounts of generally around one half to one inch were reported, with locally higher amounts of up to two inches of snowfall in the higher elevations.

Areas of generally light snow fell across portions of the Arkansas Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas, causing area roads to become slick due to snow cover Christmas morning. Snowfall amounts of generally around one half to one inch were reported, with locally higher amounts of up to two inches of snowfall in the higher elevations.

Areas of generally light snow fell across portions of the Arkansas Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas, causing area roads to become slick due to snow cover Christmas morning. Snowfall amounts of generally around one half to one inch were reported, with locally higher amounts of up to two inches of snowfall in the higher elevations.

Areas of generally light snow fell across portions of the Arkansas Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas, causing area roads to become slick due to snow cover Christmas morning. Snowfall amounts of generally around one half to one inch were reported, with locally higher amounts of up to two inches of snowfall in the higher elevations.

Bayou Meto flooded U.S. Highway 67/167 between Jacksonville and Sherwood.

Rain that fell on December 25th assured that 2009 would be the wettest year ever recorded in Warren. Total rainfall for the year was 87.47 inches, breaking the record of 81.87 inches set in 1905.

Rain that fell on December 25th assured that 2009 would be the wettest year ever recorded in Kelso. Total rainfall for the year was 64.57 inches, breaking the record of 63.35 inches set in 1991.

Heavy rainfall on the 23rd and 24th caused the White River near Newport to rise above flood stage Christmas morning. The river then fell below flood stage the evening of the 27th. Many thousand acres of crop land became inundated during this period.

A small levee broke, allowing water to spill out of a private lake. Lawson Road was flooded. The water cut through Ranch Road, cutting off access to three houses.

Rising river waters swept a truck and several pieces of machinery parked near Pool access point along U.S. Highway 79 into the Saline River between Kingsland and Rison. The equipment had been used to make repairs to a nearby railroad crossing over the river.