Flooding in Arkansas, May 1 to 31, 2011

Name: Flooding in Arkansas, May 1 to 31, 2011
Start: 2011-05-01T00:00
End: 2011-05-31T23:59
Location: Arkansas

May 1 to 31, 2011 · NWS LZK · 45 events in 45 counties and zones

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: 2
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $141 million
Crop damage: $110 million
Events: 45

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.

Areal flooding was widespread in Arkansas, beginning early in May. The flooding was caused by large amounts of rain on April 30th, and May 1st and 2nd; high water flowing down from Missouri; and backwater flooding from rivers and large creeks and bayous. The Mississippi River was also experiencing unusually high stages, causing the White and Arkansas Rivers to back up near the rivers' confluence. Arkansas Farm Bureau estimated that more than 1 million acres of farmland were under water in the state. The flooding lasted well into May in many counties, and even into June in some of the counties in eastern Arkansas.

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 Apr 30, 11:32 PM CST, 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 30, 11:32 PM CST, 28 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
1232 AM CDT SUN MAY 1 2011

.DISCUSSION...

UPDATED FOR 06 AVIATION DISCUSSION BELOW...

&&

.AVIATION...

A BAND OF THUNDERSTORMS IS MOVING OVER MUCH OF THE SAME AREAS
ACROSS CENTRAL AR...WITH VERY HEAVY RAINFALL AND WITH MVFR AND IFR
CONDITIONS EXPECTED UNDER THE THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE NIGHT AT
THE CENTRAL SITES. HOWEVER...THIS BAND OF TSRA IS REMAINING JUST NORTH
OF LIT...BUT ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS EXPECTED TO IMPACT THIS
SITE OVER THE NEXT FEW HRS. IN AND AROUND THIS TSRA
ACTIVITY...WINDS WILL BE VARIABLE...WITH SOUTH WINDS ACROSS THE
SOUTH...AND NORTH WINDS ACROSS THE NORTH. THE FRONT RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE TSRA WILL REMAIN NEARLY STATIONARY...WITH ADDITIONAL TSRA
EXPECTED THROUGH THE END OF THE TAF PERIOD.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 258 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011/

SHORT TERM...TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT

THE APPROACHING COLD FRONT IS NEARING THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF
ARKANSAS. LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS MOVED INTO THE AREA FROM NORTHEAST
TEXAS. STRONGER SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE
NORTHWEST PART OF THE CWFA. ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS EXPECTED
THROUGH THIS EVENING. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
OVER OVER THE SOUTHEAST TWO THIRDS OF THE STATE.

THE COLD FRONT IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO ARKANSAS AND STALL ACROSS
THE CENTRAL OR SOUTHEAST SUNDAY. SEVERAL PIECES OF UPPER LEVEL
ENERGY ARE EXPECTED TO BRING MULTIPLE WAVES OF THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS
THE AREA THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY. THIS SET UP WILL BRING WIDESPREAD 2
TO 4 INCH RAINFALL AMOUNTS AND ISOLATED 5 TO 7 INCH AMOUNTS ARE
POSSIBLE...THROUGH TUESDAY. THIS AMOUNT OF RAIN FALLING ON ALREADY
SATURATED GROUND WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS
IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING FOR MUCH OF THE
CWFA. HIGH PRESSURE WILL RETURN FOR TUESDAY. WITH THE
CLOUDS...RAIN...AND FRONT IN THE AREA...TEMPERATURES WILL BE BELOW
NORMAL.

LONG TERM...WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT

THE EXTEND FORECAST BEGINS WITH SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE ACROSS THE
SOUTHERN PLAINS AND AR...WITH DRY AND A BIT COOLER WEATHER. THURSDAY
REMAINS MOSTLY DRY WITH A WARMING TREND AS THE SURFACE HIGH HAS
MOVED EAST AND RETURN FLOW HAS COME BACK TO AR...WHILE A DEVELOPING
SYSTEM AND COLD FRONT WILL BE MOVING ACROSS THE WESTERN TO CENTRAL
PLAINS. THE ECMWF TAKES MUCH OF THE UPPER ENERGY NORTH OF AR WHILE A
COLD FRONT MOVES INTO AR. A SLIGHT CHANCE TO LOW CHANCE OF
CONVECTION IS IN THE FORECAST. ON FRIDAY...ANY REMAINING PRECIP
SHOULD BE ENDING IN THE MORNING...THEN DECREASING CLOUDS AND A BIT
COOLER AND DRY WEATHER. INTO THE WEEKEND...THE UPPER RIDGE BUILDS IN
OVER THE PLAINS FOR A WARM UP AND MAINLY DRY FOR SATURDAY.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
BATESVILLE AR     48  60  43  66 /  90  70  60  30
CAMDEN AR         57  64  47  66 /  80  70  60  30
HARRISON AR       42  57  39  65 /  90  60  40  10
HOT SPRINGS AR    52  59  44  66 /  90  70  60  20
LITTLE ROCK   AR  53  61  44  68 /  90  70  60  30
MONTICELLO AR     62  67  48  65 /  80  60  60  40
MOUNT IDA AR      50  58  43  64 /  90  80  50  20
MOUNTAIN HOME AR  44  59  41  65 /  90  60  40  10
NEWPORT AR        50  61  44  67 /  90  70  60  40
PINE BLUFF AR     57  64  46  66 /  80  70  60  40
RUSSELLVILLE AR   47  58  43  64 /  90  80  50  20
SEARCY AR         51  61  44  67 /  90  80  60  40
STUTTGART AR      55  63  46  66 /  90  70  60  40
&&

.LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH MONDAY MORNING FOR ARKANSAS-CALHOUN-
CLARK-CLEBURNE-CLEVELAND-CONWAY-DALLAS-FAULKNER-FULTON-GARLAND-
GRANT-HOT SPRING-INDEPENDENCE-IZARD-JACKSON-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-
LINCOLN-LOGAN-LONOKE-MONROE-MONTGOMERY-OUACHITA-PERRY-PIKE-POLK-
POPE-PRAIRIE-PULASKI-SALINE-SCOTT-SHARP-STONE-VAN BUREN-WHITE-
WOODRUFF-YELL.

&&

AVIATION...62

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 30, 3:15 PM CST, 8 hours 45 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
415 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

ARZ003>007-012>016-021>025-030>034-037>047-052>057-062>069-011000-
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-
415 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

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

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO THE STATE THIS EVENING...WITH SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE OVERNIGHT
HOURS. SOME OF THESE STORMS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME
SEVERE...WITH LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS THE MAIN SEVERE THREAT.
ALSO...AN ISOLATED TORNADO CANNOT BE RULED OUT.

LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALSO BE A CONCERN STARTING TONIGHT...AS
THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL LIKELY PRODUCE HEAVY RAINFALL ACROSS THE
STATE. WITH MUCH OF THE STATE RECEIVING VERY HEAVY RAINFALL OVER THE
PAST WEEK...FLASH FLOODING WILL BE A CONCERN WITH ANY RAINFALL. A
FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING
DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR FLASH FLOODING ACROSS A LARGE PORTION OF
THE STATE.

RIVER FLOODING IS CONTINUING ACROSS THE REGION...WITH MANY RIVERS
ACROSS THE STATE REMAINING AT OR ABOVE FLOOD STAGE. SOME
LOCATIONS HAVE YET TO SEE THE RIVERS CREST...WITH CONTINUING RISES
EXPECTED FROM PREVIOUS RAINFALL. ANY ADDITIONAL RAINFALL WILL
EITHER AGGRAVATE THIS SITUATION...OR AT LEAST SLOW THE RATE AT
WHICH FLOOD WATERS RECEDE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

THE COLD FRONT THAT WILL PUSH INTO THE STATE ON SATURDAY WILL
STALL ACROSS SOME PORTION OF THE STATE SUNDAY. THE CHANCES FOR
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL PERSIST THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK AS
SEVERAL DISTURBANCES PASS OVER THE REGION WITH THE STALLED FRONT
IN PLACE. THE THREAT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO
PERSIST...WITH MAINLY LARGE HAIL AND HIGH WINDS THE MAIN THREAT.

HOWEVER...FLASH FLOODING FROM MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF HEAVY RAINFALL
WILL BECOME YET AGAIN...A SIGNIFICANT THREAT DUE TO ALREADY
SATURATED SOILS ACROSS THE STATE. AGAIN...A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS
IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY MONDAY FOR A LARGE PORTION OF THE STATE.

RIVER FLOODING CONCERNS WILL CONTINUE FOR MANY RIVERS ACROSS THE
STATE AS ADDITIONAL VERY HEAVY RAINFALL OF 2...TO AS MUCH AS 5
INCHES OR MORE...ARE POSSIBLE BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. THIS
WILL ONLY AGGRAVATE THE ALREADY VERY SIGNIFICANT RIVER FLOODING
ONGOING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

&&

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

62/58

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 30, 10:09 PM CST, 1 hour 51 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
1109 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1107 PM     FLASH FLOOD      7 W DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROC 34.73N 92.36W
04/30/2011                   PULASKI            AR   AMATEUR RADIO

            THE INTERSECTION OF SHACKLEFORD AND KANIS IS SUBMERGED
            WITH 2 TO 4 INCHES OF STANDING WATER.

&&

227

Local storm report, Apr 30, 10:49 PM CST, 1 hour 11 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
1149 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1141 PM     FLASH FLOOD      SHERWOOD                34.83N 92.21W
04/30/2011                   PULASKI            AR   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            MULTIPLE STREET CLOSURES INCLUDING BROCKINGTON ROAD.

1141 PM     FLASH FLOOD      4 W PINNACLE MOUNTAIN   34.82N 92.54W
04/30/2011                   PULASKI            AR   AMATEUR RADIO

            NOWLIN CREEK FLASHED UP DO TO HEAVY RAINFALL AND HAS
            FLOODED SEVERAL HOUSES.

1141 PM     FLASH FLOOD      MAUMELLE                34.85N 92.41W
04/30/2011                   PULASKI            AR   AMATEUR RADIO

            MULTIPLE ROADS ARE BEING BARRICADED IN MAUMELLE.

1141 PM     FLASH FLOOD      JESSIEVILLE             34.70N 93.07W
04/30/2011                   GARLAND            AR   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            MULTIPLE ROADS ARE FLOODED IN JESSIEVILLE AS WELL AS WELL
            AS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

1141 PM     FLASH FLOOD      SHERWOOD                34.83N 92.21W
04/30/2011                   PULASKI            AR   AMATEUR RADIO

            WILDWOOD AND LANDERS IS BEING BARRICADED DUE TO HEAVY
            RAINFALL.

1141 PM     FLASH FLOOD      NORTH LITTLE ROCK       34.79N 92.26W
04/30/2011                   PULASKI            AR   AMATEUR RADIO

            PORTIONS OF MACARTHUR ARE BARRICADED DUE TO HEAVY
            RAINFALL.

1141 PM     FLASH FLOOD      3 NE NORTH LITTLE ROCK  34.82N 92.22W
04/30/2011                   PULASKI            AR   AMATEUR RADIO

            PARTS OF WARDEN OFF OF MCCAIN IS BARRICADED DUE TO HEAVY
            RAINFALL.

&&

227

Special weather statement, Apr 30, 10:53 PM CST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
1153 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

ARZ025-033-034-046-047-010540-
JACKSON AR-MONROE AR-PRAIRIE AR-WHITE AR-WOODRUFF AR-
1153 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN WHITE...WOODRUFF...
NORTHERN PRAIRIE...NORTHWESTERN MONROE AND SOUTHEASTERN JACKSON
COUNTIES UNTIL 1245 AM CDT...

AT 1154 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR BIG HURRICANE
LAKE TO 4 MILES NORTHWEST OF MAYBERRY TO 3 MILES WEST OF
LETCHWORTH...AND MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

HAIL UP TO ONE-HALF INCH IN DIAMETER AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE
EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS...ALONG WITH HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT
DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  AUGUSTA...            TUPELO...             PATTERSON...
  MCFADDEN...           MCCRORY...            HURRICANE LAKE WMA...
  HUNTER...             GEORGETOWN...         DES ARC...
  DAGMAR WMA...         ZENT...               WIVILLE...
  PUMPKIN BEND...       PENROSE...            MORTON...
  MCCLELLAND...         HOWELL...             HILLEMAN...

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 40 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 212 AND 218.

IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...TAKE SHELTER IN A
STURDY BUILDING.

TORRENTIAL RAIN...WHICH MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND
UNDERPASSES...IS ALSO LIKELY. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON A FLOODED
ROADWAY.

LAT...LON 3500 9104 3500 9114 3492 9114 3490 9111
      3482 9168 3504 9144 3531 9149 3546 9104
TIME...MOT...LOC 0454Z 248DEG 42KT 3526 9136 3508 9133
          3492 9150

44

Local storm report, Apr 30, 11:09 PM CST, 51 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
1209 AM CDT SUN MAY 01 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1208 AM     FLASH FLOOD      VILONIA                 35.08N 92.21W
05/01/2011                   FAULKNER           AR   AMATEUR RADIO

            NUMEROUS ROADWAYS BARRICADED IN VILONIA.

&&

227

Special weather statement, Apr 30, 11:12 PM CST, 48 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
1212 AM CDT SUN MAY 1 2011

ARZ038-039-041-042-010600-
GARLAND AR-MONTGOMERY AR-PERRY AR-YELL AR-
1212 AM CDT SUN MAY 1 2011

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN YELL...SOUTHWESTERN
PERRY...NORTHWESTERN GARLAND AND EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES UNTIL
100 AM CDT...

AT 1213 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR SWEETHOME...OR NEAR MT IDA...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH
HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  MT IDA...             LAKE OUACHITA...      MOUNTAIN PINE...
  MAULDIN...            LENA LNDG REC AREA... LAKE OUACHITA SP...
  GAP CREEK REC AREA... WASHITA...            STORY...
  SILVER...             MT TABOR...           HURRICANE GROVE...
  HAMILTON...           GIBBS...              FANNIE...
  CRYSTAL SPRINGS...    AVANT...

THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND
TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS... FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

TORRENTIAL RAIN...WHICH MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND
UNDERPASSES...IS ALSO LIKELY. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON A FLOODED
ROADWAY.

LAT...LON 3492 9328 3461 9306 3441 9364 3459 9378
TIME...MOT...LOC 0513Z 238DEG 26KT 3456 9358

44

Local storm report, Apr 30, 11:21 PM CST, 39 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
1221 AM CDT SUN MAY 01 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1220 AM     FLASH FLOOD      MAYFLOWER               34.97N 92.42W
05/01/2011                   FAULKNER           AR   PUBLIC

            WATER IS BEGINNING TO APPROACH THE DOORSTEPS OF HOUSES.
            WATER IS CONTINUING TO RISE AS ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAIN
            CONTINUES TO FALL.

&&

227

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

45 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flood, Pulaski

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 9, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Pulaski County, Wye to 2 mi E of Ferndale
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $27 million
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.930, -92.640

Widespread areal flooding continued from April into May. On the morning of the 1st, Arkansas Highway 300 was closed just west of Arkansas Highway 10 due to a washed-out culvert. Also on the morning of the 1st, U.S. Highway 67/167 was closed by flooding near Little Rock Air Force Base. While this section of the highway reopened on the 2nd, a greater problem developed the same day when another section of the highway flooded between Jacksonville and Sherwood. Hours-long delays were created for motorists trying to travel to and from Little Rock. The section of Highway 67/167 that was closed typically carries about 70,000 vehicles each day. The highway reopened by the 4th. On the morning of the 2nd, six docks and more than two dozen boats broke loose from a marina on the Little Maumelle River. Much of the debris soon floated down into the Arkansas River and continued to the vicinity of Murray Lock and Dam. Pinnacle Mountain State Park was closed due to flooding. Homes were flooded in parts of Sherwood, including Indianhead Lakes and Gravel Ridge. Some homes also flooded in Jacksonville.

Flood, Lonoke

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 23, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Lonoke County, 5 mi NW of Austin to 3 mi E of Toltec
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.0 million
Crop damage: $7.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.051, -92.043

Widespread areal flooding continued from April into May. Parts of Arkansas Highways 13, 236, and 381 as well as U.S. Highway 70 were closed due to flooding. On the morning of the 1st, two sections of U.S. Highway 67/167 Southbound were closed due to flooding, and one section of the highway was closed Northbound. On the 2nd, Arkansas Highway 89 was closed due to high water, and fast-flowing water more than a foot deep was over Kerr Station Rd. On the 3rd, a 55 year-old man drowned when he drove around barricades into flood waters several feet deep on Arkansas Highway 236 northeast of Furlow. His body was not recovered until the 6th.

Flood, Arkansas

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Arkansas County, 2 mi N of Stuttgart to 2 mi WSW of Bayou Meto
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.0 million
Crop damage: $12 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.529, -91.550

Parts of Arkansas Highways 1, 17, 144, and 146 were closed due to flooding. Lock 2, in a canal connecting the Arkansas and White Rivers, was closed more than two weeks. The lock was forced shut after the overflowing White and Mississippi rivers rose to levels greater than that on the Arkansas. This prevented the canal from emptying into the Mississippi. As a result, barge traffic on the Arkansas was stalled, being unable to reach the Mississippi. Flooding in Arkansas County continued into June.

Flood, Cleburne

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 10, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Cleburne County, 8 mi W of Prim to Quitman
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2.0 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.700, -92.263

Some of the campsites around Greers Ferry Lake were closed due to flooding.

Flood, Conway

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 16, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Conway County, Jerusalem to Ada
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.5 million
Crop damage: $5.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.400, -92.820

Parts of Arkansas Highways 95, 113, 124, and 247 were closed due to flooding.

Flood, Logan

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 7, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Logan County, 5 mi NW of Paris to Chismville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.331, -93.793

Flood, Faulkner

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 9, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Faulkner County, 5 mi NW of Twin Groves to 7 mi WNW of Mayflower
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $4.0 million
Crop damage: $5.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.381, -92.463

Many roads around Lake Conway were closed due to flooding, including a portion of Arkansas Highway 89.

Flood, Fulton

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 5, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Fulton County, 4 mi N of Vidette to 4 mi W of Wild Cherry
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $3.0 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.488, -92.120

Flood, Garland

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 10, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Garland County, 5 mi NE of Jessieville to Avant
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $3.0 million
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.751, -93.008

Some of the campsites around Lake Catherine were closed due to flooding.

Flood, Grant

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 8, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 6 mi ENE of Ico to 6 mi W of Ico
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.483, -92.253

Flood, Hot Spring

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 7, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hot Spring County, 4 mi NW of Jones Mill to 7 mi ENE of Bismarck
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.471, -92.930

Flood, Independence

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Independence County, Cushman to 7 mi E of Floral
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.5 million
Crop damage: $3.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.870, -91.750

Parts of Arkansas Highways 14, 37, and 69 were closed due to flooding. Flooding in Independence County continued into June.

Flood, Izard

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 6, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Izard County, 3 mi E of Horseshoe Bend to Dolph
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.5 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.220, -91.676

Flood, Jackson

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 5 mi NW of Swifton to 6 mi NW of Ingleside
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.5 million
Crop damage: $10 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.871, -91.193

Parts of Arkansas Highways 14, 18, 37, 42, 69, 69S, 224, 226, and 384 were closed due to flooding. Jacksonport and areas to the north of town were evacuated; Jacksonport State Park was closed. Flooding in Jackson County continued into June.

Flood, Jefferson

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 16, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Redfield to Sulphur Spgs
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $8.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.430, -92.180

Some of the camping areas along the Arkansas River were closed due to flooding.

Flood, Monroe

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, Zent to Brinkley
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $35 million
Crop damage: $15 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.980, -91.170

Parts of Arkansas Highways 1, 17, 86, 146, and 302 were closed due to flooding. Some parts of the Sheffield Nelson Dagmar Wildlife Management Area were closed due to flooding. Hundreds of people were evacuated south of Clarendon. In the southern part of the county, communities that were flooded included East Lake, Maddox Bay, Green Lake, and Indian Bay. Flooding also occurred at Deep Elm and Lawrenceville. Altogether, about 750 residences in Monroe County were flooded. Flooding in Monroe County continued into June.

Flood, Montgomery

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 5, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 10 mi NW of Pencil Bluff to 8 mi W of Albert
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $750,000
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.732, -93.855

A Boy Scout troop, which had been cut off by flooding at the Albert Pike Recreation Area on the Little Missouri River on the 1st, was rescued by a National Guard helicopter on the morning of the 3rd. The six scouts and two adults were not injured.

Flood, Cleveland

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 9, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 8 mi E of Mt Zion to Staves
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.030, -91.980

Flood, Clark

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 5, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Clark County, Amity to Burtsell
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.0 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.270, -93.450

On the 3rd, a woman had to be rescued after her car was washed off Arkansas Highway 7 near Arkadelphia. The water rose up to the steering wheel in the car. The woman had driven around a barricade and received a ticket.

Flood, Dallas

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 7, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, 5 mi E of Carthage to Carthage
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $750,000
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.070, -92.463

Flood, Desha

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Desha County, 4 mi NW of Mitchellville to 7 mi E of Halley
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $3.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.011, -91.549

The Freddie Black Choctaw Island Wildlife Management Area was closed due to flooding. Flooding in Desha County continued into June along the Mississippi River.

Flood, Lincoln

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 9, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County, 5 mi N of Grady
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $750,000
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.152, -91.700

Flood, Pike

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 5, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Pike County, 4 mi W of Langley to Nathan
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.0 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.320, -93.900

Flood, Perry

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 10, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Perry County, 10 mi ENE of Houston to Casa
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.0 million
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.085, -92.537

Part of Arkansas Highway 216 was closed due to flooding.

Flood, Pope

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 7, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Pope County, 3 mi W of Pelsor to 2 mi NW of Augsburg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.750, -93.124

Flood, Prairie

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Prairie County, 5 mi NW of Hickory Plains to Hazen
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $15 million
Crop damage: $10 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.031, -91.793

Part of U.S. Highway 70 was closed by flooding, as were parts of Arkansas Highways 11, 33, and 38. Part of the asphalt pavement on U.S. Highway 70 was scoured away by the water between DeValls Bluff and Biscoe. The force of the water left holes two feet deep on Arkansas Highway 38 in the northern part of the county. Dozens of houses flooded in the Des Arc area and evacuations were necessary in DeValls Bluff. Altogether, more than 270 homes in the county suffered flood damage. On the 4th, a 53 year-old man was found drowned near his home in the North Side community near Des Arc. On the 4th, westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near Biscoe were closed when the White River overflowed onto the freeway. Motorists traveling from Memphis to Little Rock had to exit the interstate at Brinkley, take U.S. Highway 49 north to Fair Oaks, then U.S. Highway 64 to Bald Knob, then U.S. Highway 67/167 to Little Rock. This detour was about 120 miles long. On the 5th, the flood waters overtook the eastbound lanes of the interstate, making it the first time that the interstate had ever been closed by flooding on the White River. Motorists exited the interstate at Hazen and took U.S. Highway 63 to Stuttgart, then U.S. Highway 165 to DeWitt, then Arkansas Highway 1 back to the interstate at Forrest City. The eastbound detour lasted only one day before the White River flooded Arkansas Highway 1 at the Arkansas/Monroe County line and a new detour had to be established. The new detour took cars from Interstate 40 south on U.S. Highway 63 to Stuttgart, east on U.S. Highway 79 to U.S. Highway 49, and then north on 49 back to the interstate. Because the bridge over the White River is old and narrow with very narrow shoulders, trucks were unable to use this route and had to take a much longer detour. Trucks went south to Dumas via U.S. Highways 63, 79, and 65 or via U.S. Highways 63 and 165. From Dumas, the trucks followed U.S. Highway 65 south all the way to Lake Village, crossed the Mississippi River on U.S. Highway 82 through Greenville, Mississippi, and then turned north on U.S. Highway 61 to Memphis. Altogether, the truck detour added about 300 miles onto the trip from Little Rock to Memphis. Water on I-40 eventually rose to the top of the concrete wall in the median. The eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 reopened on the 9th, followed by the westbound lanes on the 11th. Flooding in Prairie County continued into June.

Flood, Saline

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 5, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Saline County, East End to Paron
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $3.0 million
Crop damage: $2.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.550, -92.350

Flood, Sharp

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 5, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Sharp County, Wirth to 7 mi S of Cherokee Vlg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $4.5 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.430, -91.400

Four hundred feet of railroad tracks had to be replaced near Williford due to flooding from the Spring River.

Flood, Baxter

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 10, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Baxter County, 10 mi W of Clarkridge to 3 mi NE of Buffalo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $750,000
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 36.470, -92.530

Some of the campsites around Lake Norfork were closed due to flooding.

Flood, Johnson

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 5, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 7 mi NW of Oark to Coal Hill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.752, -93.668

Flood, Polk

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 5, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 5 mi W of Rich Mtn to 7 mi W of Grannis
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.680, -94.438

Flood, Searcy

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 8, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Searcy County, Pindall to 5 mi W of Witts Spgs
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $3.0 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 36.070, -92.880

Parts of the Buffalo National River were closed due to flooding, flood damage, and debris piles.

Flood, Stone

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 6, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Stone County, 15 mi NNW of Allison to Onia
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.0 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.131, -92.223

Flood, Van Buren

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 10, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Van Buren County, 10 mi NW of Alread to Beverage Town
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.5 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.732, -92.806

Some of the campsites around Greers Ferry Lake were closed due to flooding.

Flood, White

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: White County, Hickory Flat to Albion
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $7.0 million
Crop damage: $7.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.480, -91.750

Part of U.S. Highway 67/167 was closed due to flooding near Beebe. Arkansas Highway 36 also flooded, making Georgetown accessible only by boat. Part of the Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area was closed due to flooding. Flooding in White County continued into June.

Flood, Woodruff

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Woodruff County, 4 mi NNE of Fitzhugh to 6 mi SW of Mc Clelland
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.5 million
Crop damage: $7.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.404, -91.293

Part of Arkansas Highway 33 was closed due to flooding. At the height of the flooding, boats were parked on the courthouse lawn in Augusta. Evacuations were necessary in McClelland, Gregory, Cotton Plant, and Patterson. Flooding in Woodruff County continued into June.

Flood, Yell

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 10, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Yell County, Waveland to Chula
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.120, -93.630

Some campsites at Waveland Park on Blue Mountain Lake were closed due to flooding.

Flood, Boone

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 10, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Boone County, 4 mi NW of Omaha to 2 mi N of Hill Top
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $4.0 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 36.491, -93.231

Some of the campsites around Bull Shoals Lake were closed due to flooding.

Flood, Marion

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 10, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Marion County, 5 mi NW of Peel to 2 mi SSW of Eros
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 36.481, -92.834

Some of the campsites around Bull Shoals Lake were closed due to flooding. Part of the Buffalo National River was closed due to flooding, flood damage, and debris piles.

Flood, Newton

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 8, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Newton County, 7 mi W of Compton to Fallsville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5.0 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 36.080, -93.425

Parts of the Buffalo National River were closed due to flooding, flood damage, and debris piles.

Flood, Calhoun

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, 6 mi E of Thornton to 3 mi W of Thornton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 33.780, -92.376

Flooding in Calhoun County continued into June.

Flood, Ouachita

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 12, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Ouachita County, Reader to 5 mi N of Stephens
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Crop damage: $500,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 33.770, -93.080

Part of Arkansas Highway 7 was closed due to flooding.

Flood, Scott

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 5, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Coaldale to 2 mi S of Coaldale
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.900, -94.430

Flood, Bradley

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Bradley County, 5 mi NNE of Warren to 3 mi NNW of Banks
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Crop damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 33.687, -92.037

Flooding in Bradley County continued into June.

Flood, Drew

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 7, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Drew County, Rock Spgs to Lacey
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Crop damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.770, -91.920

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flood, Lonoke	2011-05-03	55	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct
Flood, Prairie	2011-05-03	53	Male	In Water	Direct

What these are

Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arkansas in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history Warnings in Arkansas, May 2011

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: 309039, 309040, 309042, 309043, 309044, 309045, 309046, 309047, 309048, 309049, 309050, 309052, 309053, 309054, 309055, 309057, 309058, 309059, 309060, 309061, 309064, 309066, 309067, 309093, 309094, 309097, 309098, 309099, 309100, 309101, 309102, 309103, 309104, 309105, 309106, 309107, 309108, 309109, 309110, 309111, and more.