Heavy Rain — Prairie, Arkansas

2008-07-22 · near Biscoe, Prairie, Arkansas

Event narrative

Heavy rain contributed to a fiery pile-up on Interstate 40 near mile marker 203. When the heavy rain began, one vehicle tried to pull onto the shoulder. That vehicle was rear-ended, and in the ensuing chain-reaction, six tractor-trailers and three cars were destroyed. A large fire ensued. Ten fire engines and rescue trucks responded with a total of 28 firefighters. Eight people were injured in the crash, two of them critically. The westbound lanes of the interstate were blocked for more than 4 1/2 hours.

Wider weather episode

A northwesterly wind flow aloft sent storms into Arkansas on the 22nd. The approach of a cold front and the hot, humid conditions over the state contributed to the severity of the storms.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.8302, -91.3875)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 105727. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.