A levee failure on the Cache River caused a flash flood warning in northwest Poinsett County Monday and a flood warning in parts of Jackson County, the National Weather Service said.
The flash flood warning has been extended to 6 p.m. on Monday, the warning from the National Weather Service in Memphis, Tenn. said. Previously the warning had been expected to end at noon. The updated warning said the Poinsett County Emergency Management reported that the levee had been breached and caused flooding to the immediate surrounding areas.
"The breach has grown to 50 yards and it is expected to increase to over 300 yards. Sandbagging is expected to start soon in that area," the warning issued just before noon said. Parts of Jackson County are now affected by the flooding, according to the National Weather Service in North Little Rock.
"For much of the day, water has mainly affected Poinsett Co., but we now have reports of flooding in portions of eastern Jackson Co," the National Weather Service said in a post on X just after 2:45 p.m.
The weather service in North Little Rock issued a flood warning for the area just before 2:30 p.m. The warning is set to stay in effect until 8 p.m.
"Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring," the warning said.
The warning said the failure of the levee near Pitts just before 2:15 p.m.
"Additional flooding due to this levee failure may cause area roads to become impassable in parts of east central Jackson County east of the Cache River," the warning said. "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."
The initial flash flood warning stated that the flooding was reported by law enforcement just before 8 a.m. "At [7:58] AM CST, local law enforcement reported a levee on the Cache River at Near Pitts, AR failed causing flash flooding of immediately surrounding areas," the warning said.
The Pitts area as well as Flag Slough Ditch and Willow Ditch are expected to be affected, according to the warning.
"If you are in low lying areas along the river, you should move to higher ground immediately. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads," the weather service said.
Lt. Jay-Ryan Woods with the Poinsett County Sheriff's Office said Monday that deputies were assessing the situation.
Woods said the breach in the levee occurred near Pitts Road on the west side of Arkansas 18.
No property damage or injuries have been reported yet, Woods said Monday morning.
"We have no reason to believe that anyone needs to evacuate at this time," he added.
As of Monday afternoon, just before 3:30 p.m., Woods said that the sheriff's office has finished placing sandbags for the time being. The deputies had been focusing on placing them in an area west of the Pitts Baptist Church. "It went well, we were able to get that area done," he said. "For now we are just assessing to make sure no other areas need sandbags."
Grubbs Mayor Candace Miller said Monday morning that she'd been working with Poinsett and Jackson counties to address the flooding.
"I've been told that there are two breaches in the levee at Pitts, about a mile north of the Pitts bridge and water is running over that bridge," Miller said.
"We're neighbors, we're right across the river. If someone needs help, we're going to show up," she said.
The Jackson County side was holding Monday morning, the mayor said. She said she was prepared with sandbags and ready to take action if there was more flooding.
Miller said that she is requesting the closure of Arkansas 18 due to deep water.
"I've known of three people that have had incidents of hydroplaning and running off the road (but) none of them were injured," she said.
A call to Grubbs City Hall was not immediately returned Monday afternoon.