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Saline County, state still affected by flooding |
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Thursday, 20 March 2008 |
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 River Road in Haskell disappears into the overflowing banks of the Saline River early today. The river crested at 19.6 feet this morning. (Courier photo by Matt Burks)
Courier Staff
Rain storms that crept over Arkansas caused flooding Wednesday across Saline County and the state and made numerous roadways impassable, flooded farm fields, left people evacuated from their homes and also left two people missing after their vehicles were swept away by rushing waters.
A flood warning continues today for the Saline River, according to the National Weather Service.
At 3:30 a.m. today, the Saline River crested at 19.6 feet, and the flood stage is 18 feet, according to the weather service.
What this might mean for people living along the river or with land along the river is that at 20 feet, the river will flood pastures along the West Bank, the report states.
In addition, there may be some low-lying county roads near the river that are flooded.
Tom Leslie, president of the Saline County Farm Bureau, said local farmers can handle the flooding.
“They’re used to the river coming up and down,” he said. He said most farmers will know to put their cows far enough away from the river in case of flooding.
“The biggest threat is the water tearing up their fences,” Leslie said.
The weather service expected the river to fall below flood stage by this afternoon.
But the flood warning will remain in effect until Friday evening. However, it may be canceled before then, the National Weather Service said.
The severe thunderstorms Tuesday night, which dumped about 3 inches in the county, caused road damage to at least two county roads: Porter Road in the eastern part of the county and Narrows Road between U.S. 70 and Arkansas 5.
Portions of the roads crumbled where there once were culverts. The culverts couldn’t handle the rushing water, county road superintendent Mark Westbrook said.
He added that the county was fortunate not to suffer more damage in the 800-mile road system.
Marty Polk, assistant road superintendent, said the roads were fixed and safe for traffic by 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Around the state, flood damage was more widespread — and dangerous.
Sheriff’s deputies in Independence County pulled a mother and her 5-year-old daughter from high, swift waters from the White River after their car was inundated.
In Baxter County, sheriff’s deputies used a helicopter to rescue about a dozen people from Norfolk Village, where the White River flooded.
As rains ended Wednesday, water in many places began to recede and roads again became passable. But roads that were subject to river flooding could be blocked through at least today. The White River and other waterways were to crest overnight.
More than 12 inches of rain fell in Mountain Home, and elsewhere rain totals of 4 or more inches were common.
The Spring and Buffalo rivers in northern Arkansas were swollen; the Buffalo National River closed access to the river, and its campgrounds were flooded.
At Jacksonport State Park in northeast Arkansas, officials closed the campground, picnic area and boat ramp because of flooding from the White River. Other park facilities remained open. The park is at the confluence of the Black and White rivers.
Some schools closed in areas with flooding.
At West Fork in Washington County, a man swept away by flood waters on Tuesday still had not been found as of Wednesday afternoon. Searchers found the truck Clint Caudle, 48, was in but it was unoccupied.
In Stone County, a man remained missing Wednesday afternoon. The man’s vehicle was washed from Arkansas 263 near Timbo on Tuesday. Sheriff Todd Hudspeth said Wednesday that searchers would resume work once the weather breaks.
At Calico Rock, officials said Arkansas 5 was closed because of flooding over the road. Also, Jenkins Dock at Calico Rock broke loose and floated downstream until it crashed into the Arkansas 5 bridge.
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Razorbacks
