DECATUR -- Rain continues to plague Northwest Arkansas, again causing serious flooding concerns over the region. In one day, northwest Arkansas received a total almost exceeding the entire normal monthly average for March.
March 19 proved to be one of the wettest days thus far this year. The National Weather Service estimated that the area received 6-10 inches of rain in a 12-hour period.
Two observations at Crystal Lake near Decatur showed a rise of about four inches in the lake level. At around 11 a.m., as the heaviest rain began to fall, the lake level was just about an inch below the bank at Crystal Lake Park.
By 3 p.m. the lake breached its bank in places, flooding portions of the park and near the access road to the airport.
The fishing dock at Crystal Lake was completely cut off.
It looked like its own little island with at least 12 inches of water covering the entrance ramp to the dock.
Along the Decatur Branch, several low-water bridges, including the Grant Springs Road, were closed off, forcing residents in that area to use the city alternate flood route which was completed two years ago shortly after a similar heavy precipitation event.
At the Decatur wastewater treatment plant, workers were able to keep pace with the surge of rainwater with the plant reporting no problems during the storm.
No water rescues were reported in Decatur because of the flash flood.
Unfortunately for residents in Decatur, Gentry and Gravette, more rain is forecast in the coming two weeks
Remember the rule of thumb when approaching a flooded road or low-lying bridge, "Turn Around, Don't Drown."
General News on 03/25/2020