Flood in Monroe County, Arkansas

Parts of Arkansas Highways 1, 17, 86, 146, and 302 were closed due to flooding. Some parts of the Sheffield Nelson Dagmar Wildlife Management Area were closed due to flooding. Hundreds of people were evacuated south of Clarendon. In the southern part of the county, communities that were flooded included East Lake, Maddox Bay, Green Lake, and Indian Bay. Flooding also occurred at Deep Elm and Lawrenceville. Altogether, about 750 residences in Monroe County were flooded. Flooding in Monroe County continued into June.

Heavy rain caused the White River at Clarendon to go above major flood level and to the highest stage since May, 1973. The river was in minor flood at the beginning of the month and continued to rise due to the heavy rains. Approximately 10 county roads and part of Arkansas Highway 302 north of Clarendon were closed because of flooding. Residents of Maddox Bay and Indian Bay were evacuated due to flooding. Numerous homes, possibly as many as 40, flooded at Maddox Bay, Indian Bay, and at St. Charles. There were some minor agricultural losses, such as to winter wheat. The flooding continued into April.

Flooding which began in March became worse in Monroe County as additional heavy rain fell in the White River watershed. The Clarendon gage crested at 33.78 feet, highest since April, 1973. Homes, cabins, and businesses were flooded in Clarendon and in communities along the river, such as Indian Bay, Lawrenceville, and Aberdeen. Arkansas Highway 302 north of Clarendon was closed by high water. Most of the damages were incurred in March, so the damage amounts for April were much less. High stages on the Mississippi River compounded the high water problems on the White River. The Clarendon gage remained above flood stage into May.