More rain causes flooding in the area

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.”

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS With 6-10 inches of rain falling within a 12-hour period March 19, lake levels were higher than the top of the spillway at Crystal Lake near Decatur, forcing a dangerous flow of water into Wolf Creek.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS At around five miles per hour, floodwaters move down Wolf Creek just northwest of the Crystal Lake spillway March 19, creating a dangerous situation for anyone caught in its path. This fast-moving water can sweep a car, truck or person downstream, causing damage to the vehicles and serious injury or death to anyone caught up in its fury.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Just north of Gentry along Arkansas 59, flooding in a pasture forces a herd of cattle to higher ground on March 19. This scene repeated itself along Arkansas 59 from Siloam Springs to Missouri.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS The fishing dock at Crystal Lake near Decatur turned into a small island after 6-10 inches of rain fell March 19, causing lake levels to rise four inches or more.