A stretch of Arkansas 41 connecting Arkansas and Texas across the Red River has closed because of high water, highway officials said Thursday.
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department said about five miles of the highway is shut between the Texas state line and Mud Line Road, which includes the bridge over the river.
Motorists are advised to take a 31-mile detour, pictured above, that will send them through Texarkana.
Detour and warning signs have been placed in the area.
The highway agency says the highway will remain shut until the water recedes and a damage assessment of the roadway is conducted.
Senior Meteorologist Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, La., said up to an inch of rain could fall in southwest Arkansas on Thursday. He said the area has received 5 to 10 inches of rain this month, which is above average.
Up to 2 more inches are possible this weekend and the weather service warns that additional flooding is possible along the Red River.
Information for this article was contributed by The Associated Press.