July 17 Flooding Update

7/17/19 Wednesday News KMTB KNAS

Cleanup efforts have started in Southwest Arkansas following flash flooding that took place on Tuesday. The city of Nashville received just under 7 inches of rain from the storm event. National Weather Service doppler radar indicated at least 14 inches of rain in the Dierks area. The town of Langley officially recorded 12.73 inches of rain.

Howard County Judge Kevin Smith has issued a disaster declaration for the county. The American Red Cross also surveyed the damage yesterday.

Many businesses and homes sustained damage from flooding in Dierks, Nashville, and Murfreesboro.

In Dierks, Mayor Ronnie Cogburn reported major flood damage at the city park.

Electrical power was turned off for the city as waters from a nearby creek threatened a substation.

Mayor Cogburn asks for no 18 wheelers on south Arkansas Avenue at this time. Holly Creek bridge is washed out at the end.

The Dierks Weyerhauser Lumber Mill also experienced flooding.

In Nashville, clean up is underway at the city county building and fire department after several feet of water made it inside.

Inmates at the Howard County Jail were transported to the Arkansas Department of Corrections and Sevier County.

Nashville Police Chief Amy Marion says the water rose more quickly than expected.

Around a dozen water rescues were reported by authorities in Howard County.

Flood waters from Dodson Creek reached inside Nashville Primary School. Damage was reported to the parking lot at the school as well as at Wilson Park.

Nashville Public Works Director Larry Dunaway reported that city crews were maintaining the water and sewer plants with no major issues. They will be assessing creek crossings as the water recedes. Dunaway estimated around 30 to 40 homes damaged by flooding in the Nashville area. He also reported significant damage to the bridge on Mt. Pleasant Drive, located near Wilson Park. The bridge will be closed temporarily until the damage can be assessed.

Mayor Billy Ray Jones says cleanup is underway, with many nearby homes and businesses damaged by flash flooding.

The Nashville City Council will hold a special called city council meeting at 5:00 today to discuss funding for some of the damage.

Mayor Jones thanked all of the city employees for their assistance yesterday.

Boil Order Notice

Nashville Rural Water and the Arkansas Department of Health issued a boil order notice yesterday for the Green Plains Service Area. Water Manager Ryan Stuckey says the boil order is for Polk Meeting Road, Green Plains, Cothren Loop, Old Tram Road, Fellowship Road and Harris Road. The boil order is until further notice…only for the Nashville Rural Water Green Plains Service area.

The city of Nashville is NOT under a boil order notice.

Closings and Announcements

Rainbow Learning and Therapy Center will be closed until further notice. If the Department of Disability Services approves their request, RLC will open for the children with disabilities needing therapy services.

Howard County Circuit Court for Wednesday, July 17 has been cancelled due to widespread flooding throughout the county.

The rural trash collection route for Howard County did not run today. Pick up will be one day behind schedule for the rest of the week with Thursday and Friday routes being made on Friday.

Road Closures as of late yesterday

Hempstead County Roads that are closed 16, 25, 27 South, 28, 29, 30, 33, 40, 41, 45 South and North, 231, 264, 269, 282, 285, 333, 329, and 1210. Please proceed with caution.

ARDOT reports Hempstead County 29 has a bridge end washout, located north of Wallaceburg…in-between county road 39 and 256, and is closed until crews can complete repairs.

Hempstead 371 is closed from Blevins to Prescott due to a culvert washout.

Pike County 301, east of Billstown, is washed out due to heavy rainfall.