NWS Little Rock, AR - Flood Safety Awareness Week

March 6 - 10, 2023

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

Spring Flood Outlook (shows greater than a 50% chance of moderate to major flooding along the Black, Cache, Eleven Point, Spring, and lower White Rivers, and minor flooding along the Ouachita and Saline Rivers)

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 2022), there were 72 flood fatalities in Arkansas. This was the third most across the country during this time frame. Many of these deaths (41 lives lost) occurred in 2010 and 2011.

So far in 2023 (through March 6th), rainfall was more than eight inches above average from west central into central and parts of eastern Arkansas. This led to elevated rivers across the state.

Departure From Normal Rain | Elevated Rivers

In the pictures: So far in 2023 (through March 6th), rainfall was more than eight inches above average from west central into central and parts of eastern Arkansas. This led to elevated rivers across the state.

Across Arkansas, there has already been a flood fatality in 2023 at Waldron (Scott County) on March 2nd. It has been a wet year so far, and rivers are elevated. If an active weather pattern continues, concerns are growing that the high water situation will worsen heading into spring.

Number of Flood/Flash Flood Fatalities (2010-2022)
State	Deaths
Texas	234
Kentucky	103
Arkansas	72
Tennessee	71
Missouri	71
North Carolina	66

In 2022, there were four flash flood fatalities in northwest sections of the state. On April 13th, the driver of a vehicle tried to cross a low water bridge along County Road 741 about four miles southeast of Berryville (Carroll County). The vehicle was swept downstream by an elevated Osage Creek, and the driver (a 70-year-old woman) was killed. During the early morning hours of May 5th, a 28-year-old woman was dropped off at an apartment complex in Fayetteville (Washington County). Near the complex, local authorities believe she was swept downstream by a swollen Town Branch Creek. At Bentonville (Benton County) on August 29th, an 11-year-old boy was swept into a storm drain, as was a 47-year-old woman who tried to save him. While they were pulled from the drain and taken to a nearby hospital, both passed away.

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.