Flood — Clark, Arkansas

2009-12-24 to 2009-12-25 · near Amity, Clark, Arkansas

Event narrative

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.

Wider weather episode

A strong but slow-moving low pressure system began its approach to Arkansas on the 23rd. Ahead of this low, unseasonably large amounts of moisture were drawn northward from the Gulf of Mexico. The approach of the low set off heavy rain and thunderstorms on the 23rd and 24th. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches were common for the two-day period. In a broad swath from southwest Arkansas through the central part of the state into northeast Arkansas, many places picked up 7 to 10 inches of rain. Flash flooding resulted initially, followed by areal flooding and river flooding. After the low passed by, colder air spilled into Arkansas. Light snow fell across parts of northern and western Arkansas from late on the 24th into the early morning hours of Christmas Day. Most snowfall amounts were in the 1/2 to 1 inch range, with spotty totals up to 2 inches. Though the amounts were rather small, hazardous driving conditions resulted.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.2669, -93.4591)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 201989. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.