Don’t put your umbrella away anytime soon. Western Arkansas is about to be hammered by a relentless parade of thunderstorms that could dump up to seven inches of rain by Saturday night, prompting a Flash Flood Watch across much of the state. What sounds like just another rainy forecast could, in fact, be a dangerous flood situation, particularly for low-lying areas and river communities. If you’re in a flood-prone zone—this is your early warning to take it seriously.
Meteorologists say the setup is classic for disaster: a slow-moving low-pressure system is stuck over eastern Oklahoma, acting like a sponge wringing out tropical moisture across Arkansas. This will lead to “training storms”—lines of thunderstorms repeatedly rolling over the same areas, soaking the ground until it can’t hold another drop.
Who’s in the Bullseye?
The heaviest rainfall is expected in western and southwestern counties, including:
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Pike
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Clark
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Hot Spring
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Ouachita
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Garland
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Polk
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Montgomery
These areas could receive anywhere from 4 to 7 inches of rain, with isolated locations potentially seeing even more.
Meanwhile, the central and eastern parts of the state won’t be spared entirely—expect 2 to 3 inches of rain in places like Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Jonesboro, which is still enough to cause localized flooding, especially in poor drainage areas.
Flood Watches vs. Flood Warnings: What’s the Difference?
Let’s break it down. A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flooding. It doesn’t mean flooding is happening yet—but it could, and fast.
If a Flood Warning is issued, that means flooding is happening or will happen very soon.
The National Weather Service has already placed river flood warnings and advisories across several basins:
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Black River near Black Rock: Minor flooding expected into late Sunday
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White River near Des Arc and Augusta: Flood stages expected through Friday and beyond
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Cache River near Patterson: Waters rising with advisories into early Sunday
That’s a red flag for those living near creeks, rivers, or places that usually flood when it rains hard.
Why This Rainfall Is Especially Dangerous
This isn’t a gentle spring rain—it’s a multi-day soaking where one round of storms will be followed by another. Because the storms are slow-moving, they’ll dump heavy rain in short bursts over the same areas. This process, known as training, causes water to rise rapidly in creeks, roads, and even in neighborhoods that don’t usually flood.
Already saturated ground plus intense rainfall equals quick water rise, which can trap people in cars, flood homes, and wash out roads. And remember, just 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet, and 12 inches can sweep a vehicle away.
What You Should Do Right Now
If you live in one of the counties under watch, or in any flood-prone area, don’t wait to react. Here’s how to stay safe:
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Stay informed. Listen for weather updates on NOAA Radio or local TV, especially if watches turn into warnings.
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Plan alternate routes. Avoid rural roads and low bridges where flooding tends to strike.
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Don’t drive through water. Even if it doesn’t look deep—“Turn around, don’t drown.”
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Prepare your property. Move valuables off the floor, clean out drains, and have sandbags ready if needed.
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Have an emergency kit. Batteries, chargers, water, and food in case roads are impassable or power goes out.
Local Forecast – Fort Smith Region Snapshot
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Thursday (June 12): Overcast with humidity building. Afternoon storms likely.
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Friday (June 13): Thunderstorms return with intensity—possible flash flooding in evening.
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Saturday (June 14): Continued storm activity, hot and humid. Watch for afternoon downpours.
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Sunday (June 15): Scattered showers linger. Slight drying trend begins late in the day.
Final Word: Don’t Underestimate This System
Flooding is one of the deadliest weather threats in the U.S., and it’s often underestimated. This weekend’s storm system has all the ingredients for a serious flood event—saturated ground, stalled storms, and overflowing rivers.
If you’re in Arkansas, especially west of Little Rock, keep devices charged, don’t travel unnecessarily, and check on neighbors in low-lying areas.
