Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Arkansas, May 5 to 7, 2009

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Arkansas, May 5 to 7, 2009
Start: 2009-05-05T01:30
End: 2009-05-07T17:00
Location: Arkansas

May 5 to 7, 2009 · NWS LZK · 60 events in 24 counties and zones

Unstable air, fronts meandering in the state, and areas of low pressure aloft contributed to severe weather, including a few tornadoes. At Arkansas Post (Arkansas County), the rain contributed to making it the wettest May ever recorded.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 3
Property damage: $7.3 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 60

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 LZK wrote it up.

Unstable air, fronts meandering in the state, and areas of low pressure aloft contributed to severe weather, including a few tornadoes.

At Arkansas Post (Arkansas County), the rain contributed to making it the wettest May ever recorded.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Little Rock, AR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 4, 11:48 PM CST, 1 hour 42 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 4, 11:48 PM CST, 1 hour 42 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
1248 AM CDT TUE MAY 5 2009

.AVIATION...
SCTD SHRA/TSRA WL CONT TO AFFECT PARTS OF SERN AR FOR A FEW MORE
HRS AS UPR LVL SHRTWV TRACKS EWD. AREAS OF FOG AND LOW CLOUDS WL
CONT TO DVLP THRU THE MRNG HRS...WITH MVFR/IFR CONDS PREVAILING.
A FEW LOCATIONS WL SEE LIFR CONDS TOWARD SUNRISE. CONDS WL IMPROVE
BY MID TO LATE MRNG...WITH VFR CONDS PREVAILING. NEXT UPR LVL SYS
WL BRING INCRSG CHCS OF CONVECTION LATE THIS AFTN AND EVENING. /44/
&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 911 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2009/

UPDATE...
A SHORT WAVE CONTINUES TO MOVE ACROSS ARKANSAS THIS EVENING. SHOWERS
AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SYSTEM.
EXPECT THUNDERSTORMS TO DISSIPATE AFTER MIDNIGHT BUT SHOWERS WILL
CONTINUE. RAISED POPS ACROSS THE AREA. POPS WILL DECREASE WEST TO
EAST AFTER MIDNIGHT. PATCHY FOG IS STILL EXPECTED DURING THE EARLY
MORNING HOURS WITH LOW LEVEL MOISTURE IN PLACE WITH LIGHT WINDS.
&&

.LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE.
&&

Hazardous weather outlook, May 4, 5:45 PM CST, 7 hours 45 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
645 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2009

ARZ003>007-012>016-021>025-030>034-037>047-052>057-062>069-051000-
ARKANSAS-BAXTER-BOONE-BRADLEY-CALHOUN-CLARK-CLEBURNE-CLEVELAND-
CONWAY-DALLAS-DESHA-DREW-FAULKNER-FULTON-GARLAND-GRANT-HOT SPRING-
INDEPENDENCE-IZARD-JACKSON-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-LINCOLN-LOGAN-LONOKE-
MARION-MONROE-MONTGOMERY-NEWTON-OUACHITA-PERRY-PIKE-POLK-POPE-
PRAIRIE-PULASKI-SALINE-SCOTT-SEARCY-SHARP-STONE-VAN BUREN-WHITE-
WOODRUFF-YELL-
645 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR A LARGE PART OF ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A WEAK WEATHER SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE STATE THIS EVENING
BRINGING A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO THE NATURAL
STATE. NO SEVERE WEATHER AND ONLY LIGHT RAIN IS EXPECTED WITH THIS
SYSTEM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

THE FRONTAL SYSTEM THAT BROUGHT THE SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOODING
RAINS TO THE NATURAL STATE THIS PAST WEEKEND IS CURRENTLY LOCATED
OVER SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA. THIS BOUNDARY IS EXPECTED TO LIFT
TOWARDS THE NORTH AS A WARM FRONT BY LATE TUESDAY.

MEANWHILE...LOW PRESSURE IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ON THIS BOUNDARY AND
TRACK ACROSS THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE BRINING PRECIPITATION
CHANCES BACK TO THE AREA LATE TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
WITH PLENTY OF LOW LEVEL MOISTURE IN PLACE...LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN WILL
BE POSSIBLE ONCE AGAIN.

SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND
SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE STATE. WITH THE GROUND REMAINING SATURATED
FROM PREVIOUS HEAVY RAINS...FLASH FLOODING CONCERNS REMAIN
HEIGHTENED ACROSS THE AREA

UNSETTLED WEATHER WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEK...AS THIS
FRONT WILL MEANDER AROUND THE STATE FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED.

&&

VISIT NWS LITTLE ROCK ON THE WEB. GO TO HTTP://WEATHER.GOV AND
CLICK ON CENTRAL ARKANSAS.

56

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 4, 7:32 PM CST, 5 hours 58 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
832 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2009

ARZ053>055-062-050200-
CLARK-DALLAS-GRANT-HOT SPRING-
832 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2009

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR CLARK...DALLAS...GRANT AND HOT
SPRING COUNTIES UNTIL 900 PM CDT...

AT 831 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR DEGRAY LAKE...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

SMALL HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS
STORM.

AREAS THAT WILL BE AFFECTED INCLUDE CADDO VALLEY...FRIENDSHIP AND
LEOLA.

56

The radar

The Little Rock radar (KLZK), 109 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:31 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

22 thunderstorm wind, 20 flash flood, 15 hail, 2 tornado, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Clark

When: May 5, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Clark County, Arkadelphia
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.120, -93.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Garland

When: May 5, 10:45 AM CST
Where: Garland County, 3.52 mi NW of Crystal Spgs
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.550, -93.380

Trees were down across the area.

Hail, Clark

When: May 5, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Clark County, 1 mi NE of Okolona
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.010, -93.318

Hail, Clark

When: May 5, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Clark County, Gurdon
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.920, -93.150

Hail, Scott

When: May 5, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 5 mi E of Waldron
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.900, -93.992

Thunderstorm Wind, Yell

When: May 5, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Yell County, Plainview
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.980, -93.300

A tree was down in the area.

Hail, Yell

When: May 5, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Yell County, Ola
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.030, -93.220

Thunderstorm Wind, Hot Spring

When: May 5, 9:35 PM CST
Where: Hot Spring County, Donaldson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.230, -92.920

Trees were uprooted in the area.

Hail, Hot Spring

When: May 5, 9:50 PM CST
Where: Hot Spring County, Malvern
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.370, -92.800

Hail, Conway

When: May 5, 9:55 PM CST
Where: Conway County, Plumerville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.170, -92.650

Quarter sized hail was two inches deep on the ground.

Hail, Perry

When: May 5, 10:00 PM CST
Where: Perry County, Adona
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Post Office
Coordinates: 35.030, -92.920

Hail, Dallas

When: May 5, 10:05 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, Sparkman
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.920, -92.850

Hail, Grant

When: May 5, 10:30 PM CST
Where: Grant County, Sheridan
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.300, -92.400

Golf ball sized hail fell at the Sheriff's Office.

Thunderstorm Wind, Faulkner

When: May 5, 10:30 PM CST
Where: Faulkner County, Pickles Gap to Greenbrier
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.130, -92.400

Power lines were blown down.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 5, 10:45 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 8 mi S of Redfield
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.314, -92.180

Thunderstorm Wind, Garland

When: May 5, 10:45 PM CST
Where: Garland County, 10 mi NNE of Lake Ouachita East to 1.15 mi W of Pearcy
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.754, -93.183

Trees and power lines were down across the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: May 5, 10:48 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, 5.36 mi SSW of Harlow
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.680, -92.610

Numerous large trees were down outside of Thornton along U.S. Highway 79.

Thunderstorm Wind, Garland

When: May 5, 10:55 PM CST
Where: Garland County, 1.15 mi WNW of Hot Springs Village to 2.4 mi NNE of Hot Spgs
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.679, -93.017

Trees and power lines were down across the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When: May 5, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, Fordyce
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.820, -92.420

Large limbs were down in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cleveland

When: May 5, 11:25 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, Kingsland
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.850, -92.300

Numerous trees were down in Kingsland along U.S. Highway 79.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 5, 11:25 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Altheimer
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.320, -91.870

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 5, 11:30 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Wabbaseka
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.350, -91.800

Trees were blown down.

Hail, Garland

When: May 5, 11:50 PM CST
Where: Garland County, Hot Spgs
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.500, -93.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Pulaski

When: May 5, 11:55 PM CST
Where: Pulaski County, 4 mi W of Little Rock
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.730, -92.350

A tree was down at the intersection of University Avenue and Berkshire Drive.

Flash Flood, Perry

When: May 6, 12:15 AM CST to 2:00 AM CST
Where: Perry County, 0.98 mi NE of Wye to 1.79 mi NE of Pleasant Grove
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.958, -92.626

Flooding occurred across the county.

Flash Flood, Conway

When: May 6, 12:15 AM CST to 3:00 AM CST
Where: Conway County, Menifee
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.150, -92.570

Mill Island Road in Plumerville, Bell Mountain Road in Menifee, Portland Road in Plumerville, Cherokee Road in Morrilton, and Willow Bend Road in Morrilton were closed due to flooding.

Tornado, Arkansas

When: May 6, 12:19 AM CST to 12:27 AM CST
Where: Arkansas County, 1.27 mi NW of Immanuel to 2.9 mi WNW of Crocketts Bluff
Rating: EF0
Path length: 4.39 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.413, -91.335

A weak tornado knocked down a few trees.

Flash Flood, Garland

When: May 6, 12:21 AM CST to 3:00 AM CST
Where: Garland County, 3.06 mi SE of May to 13.71 mi NNE of Whittington
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.371, -93.029

A car was washed away at a low water bridge on Arkansas Highway 298. A tributary washed over the road on Shady Grove Road. Traffic lanes on Highway 70 west of Hot Springs had to be closed due to water. Malvern Avenue had to be closed when a creek overflowed. Fresno Road and Lago Drive were washed away. Flooding occurred on Park Avenue, Central Avenue, and Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs. The Gulpha Creek Bridge in Hot Springs flooded, as well.

Flash Flood, Saline

When: May 6, 12:30 AM CST to 3:00 AM CST
Where: Saline County, 1.37 mi NE of Bland to 1.31 mi NE of Bland
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.694, -92.662

Davenport Street was closed due to flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 6, 12:50 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 5 mi NW of White Hall
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.321, -92.162

A tree was down on Arkansas Highway 104.

Hail, Hot Spring

When: May 6, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Hot Spring County, Malvern
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.370, -92.800

Flash Flood, Hot Spring

When: May 6, 1:00 AM CST to 3:00 AM CST
Where: Hot Spring County, Glen Rose to 1.73 mi ESE of Jones Mill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.460, -92.730

Two families had to be evacuated due to high water in the Glen Rose area. U.S. Highway 270 was blocked because of water over the road near Magnet Cove.

Flash Flood, Saline

When: May 6, 1:00 AM CST to 3:00 AM CST
Where: Saline County, 0.6 mi SSW of Reform to 5.67 mi ESE of Nance
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $850,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.772, -92.835

Elliott Trail and Vance Road were closed due to flooding. Flooding occurred on Arkansas Highway 5 near Bryant. Numerous county roads and bridges suffered damage. About 20 homes were damaged. A few houses were damaged by flooding in Bryant and Shannon Hills.

Flash Flood, Pope

When: May 6, 1:00 AM CST to 3:00 AM CST
Where: Pope County, 0.81 mi WNW of Simpson to 1.79 mi NNW of North Dardanelle
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $185,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.603, -93.144

A number of county roads were damaged by flooding, especially around Treat and Crow Mountain. Mount Zion Road was closed due to flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Arkansas

When: May 6, 1:20 AM CST to 1:30 AM CST
Where: Arkansas County, Stuttgart
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1.5 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.500, -91.550

Numerous large trees were down. Also, 30 to 40 homes were damaged by trees.

Hail, Clark

When: May 6, 1:33 AM CST
Where: Clark County, 1 mi N of Arkadelphia
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.135, -93.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When: May 6, 1:33 AM CST
Where: Clark County, Gurdon
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 33.920, -93.150

A tree was down on Cherry Street.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When: May 6, 2:30 AM CST to 5:00 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, 1.49 mi NNW of Clarendon to 2.22 mi S of Jeffries
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.700, -91.310

Flooding occurred on Arkansas Highway 302.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When: May 6, 2:30 AM CST to 5:00 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, 0.62 mi ESE of Brinkley Meml Arpt to 2.07 mi SSE of Fargo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.877, -91.160

West 3rd Street, Odom, Emmons, and East 1st Street were flooded. Lake Greenley Park was also flooded.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When: May 6, 2:30 AM CST to 5:00 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, 5 mi SE of Holly Grove to 2.08 mi SE of Holly Grove
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.549, -91.138

Houses were flooded along Arkansas Highway 146 roughly 5 miles southeast of Holly Grove.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: May 6, 3:00 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Clark County, 1.03 mi NE of Caddo Vly to 2.05 mi ENE of Alpine
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $350,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.191, -93.058

There were 14 homes and 5 businesses with flood damage. The North Eighth Street Bridge was closed due to flooding. A number of county roads suffered flood damage.

Flash Flood, Lonoke

When: May 6, 3:30 AM CST to 5:00 AM CST
Where: Lonoke County, 1.73 mi S of Old Austin to 0.3 mi NE of Parnell
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 34.955, -91.970

Dogwood Lane was flooded and impassible.

Lightning, Dallas

When: May 6, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Dallas County, Sparkman
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 33.920, -92.850

Lightning struck a house, damaging electronic and electrical items in the residence.

Tornado, Drew

When: May 6, 3:52 AM CST to 3:56 AM CST
Where: Drew County, 0.63 mi N of Rose Hill to 2.01 mi E of Rose Hill
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.11 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.679, -91.818

A tornado was embedded within a large bow echo (curving line of thunderstorms shaped like a backwards C). The tornado knocked down trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bradley

When: May 6, 3:55 AM CST
Where: Bradley County, 1 mi NW of Warren
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.630, -92.082

A roof was blown off a house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Drew

When: May 6, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Drew County, 4 mi N of Monticello
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.688, -91.800

Trees were down on Arkansas Highway 83 North.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bradley

When: May 6, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Bradley County, Warren
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.620, -92.070

Trees were down across Warren. One tree fell on a house. A tree limb fell on a police car, causing damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Drew

When: May 6, 4:00 AM CST to 4:10 AM CST
Where: Drew County, 0.9 mi SE of Rock Spgs to 2.45 mi SSW of Deane
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.761, -91.908

Trees were down on houses, vehicles, and power lines. Approximately 30 homes were damaged and three people were injured by the falling trees. Much of the roof was removed from an exhibition building at the Drew County Fairgrounds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Drew

When: May 6, 4:05 AM CST
Where: Drew County, 5 mi ESE of Monticello
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.602, -91.720

Trees were down on Arkansas Highway 35 South.

Thunderstorm Wind, Drew

When: May 6, 4:10 AM CST
Where: Drew County, 5 mi E of Monticello
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.630, -91.713

Trees were down on U.S. Highway 278 East.

Flash Flood, Grant

When: May 6, 6:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Grant County, 0.64 mi SW of Tull to 1.05 mi WNW of Leola
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $600,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.444, -92.578

A number of county roads and state highways across the area were flooded. Several businesses in Sheridan and a skating rink outside of town suffered flood damage.

Flash Flood, Pike

When: May 6, 6:05 AM CST to 6:30 AM CST
Where: Pike County, 1.98 mi NNW of Antoine to 2.47 mi NW of Antoine
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 34.057, -93.430

Arkansas Highway 26 west of Antoine was flooded.

Flash Flood, Lincoln

When: May 6, 7:00 AM CST to 10:30 AM CST
Where: Lincoln County, 1.41 mi NW of Star City to 1.87 mi E of Palmyra
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.966, -91.865

Flooding occurred across the county.

Flash Flood, Dallas

When: May 6, 7:00 AM CST to 10:30 AM CST
Where: Dallas County, 2.96 mi SSW of Willow to 1.64 mi W of Ouachita
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.092, -92.773

Flooding occurred across the county.

Flash Flood, Bradley

When: May 6, 8:30 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST
Where: Bradley County, 2.55 mi E of Mc Kinney to 0.46 mi E of Cross Rds
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.633, -92.126

Street flooding occurred in Warren.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: May 6, 9:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.12 mi NNW of Sulphur Spgs to 1.16 mi ENE of Noble Lake
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $450,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.195, -92.138

Flooding occurred in the area. In Pine Bluff, eight homes on Hagan Drive as well as an apartment complex on 5th and S. Palm St. had damage due to flooding. Water also entered some homes in Wabbaseka and Altheimer.

Flash Flood, Ouachita

When: May 6, 10:00 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST
Where: Ouachita County, 3.89 mi E of Good Hope to 1.13 mi W of Liberty
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 33.624, -92.983

Arkansas Highway 7 and Ouachita roads 11, 76, 99 and 389 were closed due to flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Garland

When: May 6, 11:22 AM CST
Where: Garland County, Hot Spgs
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 34.500, -93.050

A tree was down on Hays Street in Hot Springs.

Hail, Arkansas

When: May 7, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Arkansas County, 1 mi NE of De Witt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.310, -91.318

Flash Flood, Arkansas

When: May 7, 4:35 PM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Arkansas County, 1.6 mi N of One Horse Store to 2.02 mi S of One Horse Store
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.243, -91.499

Flooding occurred on Arkansas Highway 276.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
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.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arkansas in 2009 Every state in 2009 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Arkansas, 2009 Warnings in Arkansas, May 2009

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: 159556, 159572, 159557, 159558, 159559, 159575, 159560, 159585, 159561, 159562, 159563, 159564, 159565, 175981, 159566, 159591, 159593, 175946, 159586, 159592, 175978, 175977, 165561, 159582, 165308, 165547, 157862, 171894, 169320, 159589, 159567, 165686, 169321, 169351, 159583, 159568, 169338, 159548, 159550, 162980, and more.