Flood in Prairie County, Arkansas

Heavy rain caused the White River at Des Arc to go above major flood level. This was the highest the river had been since April, 1973. The river was at minor flood level at the beginning of the month and continued to rise throughout most of the month due to the heavy rains. Substantial portions of the towns of Des Arc and DeValls Bluff were flooded, as were portions of U.S. Highway 70 near DeValls Bluff. Arkansas Highways 11, 38, and 33 were flooded in and near Des Arc. Riverfront Park on the east bank of the White River flooded. Some 80 homes, campers and cabins were flooded along Bayou Des Arc and at Spring Lake east of Des Arc. There were also about 20 to 30 homes flooded in and near DeValls Bluff. Low areas in the Spring Lake and Horn Lake areas on to the east, and Leisure Acres north of Des Arc were underwater. Many residences on Webb Road were flooded. First Street in Des Arc was flooded. Agricultural losses to winter wheat were also noted. The flooding continued into April.

Flash flooding, which developed early on the morning of the 24th, became widespread areal flooding later in the morning on the 24th and continued into Christmas morning. Numerous county roads and state highways were flooded. Approximately 25 homes were damaged.

Major flooding continued in April from the initial heavy rain event in the middle of March. Additional heavy rainfall in April both prolonged the event and raised crests to just over the levels attained in March. The river fell out about three feet in between crests of 33.74 feet on March 26th and 33.78 feet on April 17th. Both crests were the highest the White River at Des Arc had been since April, 1973. Damages were primarily to whatever recovery efforts had been made since the March flooding. Arkansas Highways 11, 33, and 38 were closed again by high water. The White River at Des Arc remained above flood stage into May.