Flash flood warning issued for 34 Arkansas counties

5:50 p.m. UPDATE

As the potential for dangerous flooding looms across portions of Arkansas, a number of education institutions have announced the cancelation or postponement of classes Thursday.

Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia said Wednesday evening that it has canceled classes for tonight and Thursday due to the threat of heavy rainfall in the region through Friday.

The university's Senior Dinner originally set for Thursday night has also been postponed, according to a statement.

Earlier in the day, the Star City School District in east Arkansas said via social media that it will be closed Thursday due to flooding concerns.

The Lonoke School District will have a delayed start of 9 a.m. Thursday morning and buses will run on flood routes, according to its website.

In a tweet Wednesday evening, Cabot School District Superintendent Tony Thurman said the district is monitoring the weather and advised students and their parents or guardians to have a plan if schools are delayed or closed Thursday.

Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

4:20 p.m. UPDATE

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for portions of the Little Rock metropolitan area, including Pulaski, Lonoke and Saline counties.

The warning is in effect until 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to the weather service.

4:08 p.m. UPDATE

As of Wednesday afternoon, a flash flood warning was in effect for 31 counties in south, central and east Arkansas, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters in Little Rock say moderate to heavy rain is expected overnight into Thursday morning from the southwest corner of the state up to the northeast corner, bringing up to 4 inches of additional rain. Downpours are also set to impact central Arkansas.

10:31 a.m. UPDATE

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for 10 counties in southeastern and central Arkansas after heavy showers were located in the area Wednesday afternoon.

The stretch of counties has received between 3 and 5 inches of rainfall in the past 24 hours, the weather service said.

The affected areas include cities and towns in Calhoun, Bradley, Arkansas, Dallas, Jefferson, Drew, Lincoln, Grant, Ouachita and Cleveland counties.

Earlier

Up to 4 inches of rain has already drenched parts of the state, and forecasters say a band of wet weather covering Arkansas will linger for days, swelling creeks with potentially record-setting rainfall.

Flood warnings and advisories have been issued over most of the state for the next few days, with the most severe flash flood warnings being issued in southern counties along the Ouachita River.

The highest rainfall totals as of Wednesday morning were reported in Moro Bay in Bradley County, where 4.25 inches, fell, according to the National Weather Service.

Other totals reported include:

• 3.6 inches in Camden
• 3.25 inches at the Pine Bluff airport
• 2.71 inches at the Little Rock airport
• 2.25 inches in North Little Rock
• 2.10 inches in Conway

Tabitha Clarke, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in North Little Rock, said the worst of the rains are moving out of southern Arkansas, though up to 5 inches of rain could still fall there in the next few days.

The heaviest rains are moving toward the northeastern regions, which could receive up to 6 inches, potentially breaking historic daily records, Clarke said.

The daily rainfall record for March 9 in Little Rock is 4.32 inches, set in 1878, according to the weather service.

The heaviest period of rain will be drawn out through Friday, alleviating some of the danger for severe flash floods, Clarke said.

Clarke said residents near sm

aller creeks that are already saturated or prone to flooding should remain aware of the conditions. Other areas are already preparing for the possibility of rising waters along larger rivers as tributaries start to drain early next week, Clarke said.

Lighter periods of rain are expected to fall throughout the weekend, and it will likely be Monday before dry weather finally moves in, Clarke said.