Flood in Faulkner County, Arkansas

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.

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.