Area flash flood watch in effect until Thursday

A flash flood watch remains in effect for Texarkana and surrounding counties until Thursday morning.

The watch includes Southwest Arkansas, Northeast Texas and Southeast Oklahoma. Area rivers are starting to go down, and there are no immediate concerns about river flooding according to the National Weather Service.

A warm front was expected to move across the area Tuesday with locally heavy rainfall followed by a cold front late today that will produce additional heavy rainfall with amounts of two to four inches expected, according to NWS.

Periods of heavy rainfall will allow potential for widespread flash flooding across the watch area. Saturated soils and swollen rivers from recent heavy rain events will enhance the risk of flooding.

Flash flooding of roads, low-lying, and poor-drainage areas will be possible.

The Little River at Horatio, Ark., was at 28.2 feet Tuesday but was expected to begin going down by Tuesday night. Flood stage is 27 feet.

The Sulphur River at Naples had reached 17.6 feet Tuesday. Flood stage is 16 feet. The river was expected to begin dropping by today.

The Red River has already fallen below flood stage at many locations.

Red River at Index, Ark., crested at 18.3 feet over the weekend and had dropped to 14.1 feet Tuesday. Flood stage is 25 feet.

Red River at Pecan Point near DeKalb crested at 24.8 feet and had gone down to 21.87 feet by Tuesday. Flood stage is 24 feet.

Red River at Fulton crested at 20.38 feet and had dropped to 19.02 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet.

A flash flood watch means conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

Residents should monitor forecasts and be prepared to take action should a flash flood warnings be issued.

Motorists should use extreme caution on flooded roads.