Highway 14 was flooded at Highway 367 roughly 1.7 miles west-northwest of Newport (Jackson County). (Photo: WFO Little Rock)
(4/1/2008) - Water weary residents in East Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana have had more than their fair share of double-digit rainfall accumulations and extensive flooding during the month of March. Unfortunately, April holds little promise of relief.
According to National Weather Service Precipitation Analysis data for the month of March, a widespread swath of 10 inch plus precipitation fell across portions of Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Scattered rainfall accumulations in excess of 15 inches were also recorded.
Due in part to previous wet conditions and terrain, Arkansas has experienced the greatest impacts. With accumulations up to 16.5 inches, a number of northern Arkansas communities set new records for the wettest March; and, in some cases, the wettest month on record.
The resulting flash and river flooding closed major highways, washed out secondary roads and bridges, and flooded numerous homes prompting massive evacuations. Historic flooding is still in progress along portions of Arkansas' Black and White Rivers; and, moderate to minor flooding is forecast to continue for weeks along the Ohio and Lower Mississippi Rivers.
Arkansas March precipitation (Graphic: Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center)
Floodwaters claim about 100 lives each year and it is estimated that eight out of every 10 of those deaths are easily preventable. National Weather Service Storm Data records indicate more than 7,000 people died as a result of floods in the United States over the last 67 years. Of those, an estimated 80 percent perished because they chose to drive or walk into moving water.
In an ongoing effort to increase awareness of flood hazards and reduce flood-related fatalities, the National Weather Service encourages everyone to heed a simple message when confronted with moving floodwaters: Turn Around, Don't Drown®. For more information, visit: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/tadd or http://www.weather.gov/floodsafety.