NWS Little Rock, AR - Flood Safety Awareness Week

March 25 - 29, 2024

Many of us fear tornadoes and lightning, but what about water? It seems harmless since we drink water...swim and bathe in it. So why does water kill 80 to 90 people (30 year average) annually in this country? Because the power of water is underestimated.

In the picture: Weather fatalities (based on a 30 year average from 1991 to 2020) in the United States (courtesy of NOAA).

Link of Interest

Flood Safety Awareness Week Proclamation

Water becomes deadly when flooding/flash flooding occur (during or shortly following a heavy rain event).

Flood/Flash Flood Timeline: Flash flooding (along streets and small streams/creeks) occurs within 6 hours with flooding (along rivers) taking longer than 6 hours to unfold.

Some definitions...

Flash Flood: Usually occurs within 6 hours. The rate of rainfall exceeds the rate of runoff (rain falls faster than it can be carried away). Because water has nowhere to go, it covers roads and fills small streams and creeks.

Flood: Usually takes longer than 6 hours to unfold and can last for several days. Water from a flash flood event (or long-term heavy rain event) eventually makes its way into rivers...with excess water flowing into nearby towns, fields, etc.

Flood Fatalities in Arkansas

Since 2010 (through 2023), there were 74 flood fatalities in Arkansas. This was the fourth most across the country during this time frame. Many of these deaths (41 lives lost) occurred in 2010 and 2011.

So far in 2024 (through March 19th), rainfall was at/above average across much of Arkansas, with the wettest conditions in central and southern sections of the state. Given a wetter than usual spring precipitation forecast, there is some concern about rivers becoming elevated in the coming weeks.

Departure From Normal Rain | Spring Precipitation Outlook
Spring Flood Outlook

In the pictures: So far in 2024 (through March 19th), rainfall was at/above average across much of Arkansas, with the wettest conditions in central and southern sections of the state. Given a wetter than usual spring precipitation forecast, there is some concern about rivers becoming elevated in the coming weeks.

Across Arkansas, the year (2024) has started wet (through March 19th), especially in central and southern sections of the state. The forecast calls for above average precipitation in the spring, and will likely lead to periodic flash flooding/elevated rivers in places.

Number of Flood/Flash Flood Fatalities (2010-2023)
State	Deaths
Texas	237
Kentucky	106
Missouri	75
Arkansas	74
Tennessee	71
North Carolina	67

In 2023, there were two flash flood fatalities in March. On the 2nd, the Poteau River at Cauthron (Scott County) rose 15 feet in a hurry due to heavy/excessive rain. The same swollen river carried a pickup truck off of Highway 80 on the east side of Waldron (Scott County). Tragically, the driver (a grandfather trying to visit his grandson) perished. Five miles northwest of Paron (Saline County), a 68-year-old man on a motorcycle apparently tried to cross a road at the Lake Winona spillway on the 24th. He was swept off the pavement and down the Alum Fork Saline River where he drowned.

Nationwide, statistics show that more than 50% of flood/flash flood related deaths occur in automobiles. The next highest percentage of high water drownings are people walking into flooded areas (usually near swift current where they can be swept away).

If flood waters are between you and your destination, the National Weather Service wants you to remember a simple slogan: "Turn Around Don't Drown" ^TM.

Link of Interest

Turn Around Don't Drown^TM

This page was designed to increase public awareness about high water and its dangers. Education is the key to understanding high water and to avoid becoming a statistic.
In the picture: Six to eight inches of rain rain caused the Little Missouri River to climb 20 feet in a just a few hours at the Albert Pike Recreation Area (Montgomery County) during the early morning hours of 06/11/2010. Twenty people drowned, making this the deadliest flood event in Arkansas recorded history. Click to enlarge.