Flood Warning for Little River at Horatio, Flash Flood Watch and Warning in Effect for SW Arkansas

Flash Flood Warning for SW Arkansas and SE Oklahoma

Flood Warning for Little River at Horatio

Issued By Shreveport - LA, US, National Weather Service

Affected Area: Sevier County

Description

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Flood Warning for the Little River At Horatio. From Tuesday morning to late Saturday night. At 8:00 PM CDT Monday the stage was 22.2 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. Moderate flooding is forecast. Forecast...The Little river at Horatio is expected to rise above flood stage late tomorrow morning to a crest of 29.6 feet Wednesday evening. It will then fall below flood stage late Saturday morning. Impact...At 30.0 feet, The golf course west of Horatio, Arkansas floods. Also ranchers should evacuate cattle and farm machinery to higher ground and have preparations complete for a major flood. Expect considerable lowland flooding of several hundred acres of grazing and farming land. Expect major backwater flooding of small tributaries at their confluence with the Little River such as the Cossatot and the Rolling Fork Rivers.

More Information

...The National Weather Service in Shreveport LA has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Oklahoma...Arkansas...

Little River Near Idabel affecting McCurtain, Sevier and Little River Counties.

Little River At Horatio affecting McCurtain, Sevier, Little River and Howard Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Do not drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

For more hydrologic information, copy and paste the following website address into your favorite web browser URL bar: water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=shv

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Howard County in southwestern Arkansas...
  Northern Little River County in southwestern Arkansas...
  Sevier County in southwestern Arkansas...

* Until 145 PM CDT.

* At 940 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain
  have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
  shortly.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Doppler radar.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
           urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Nashville, Mineral Springs, Dierks, Horatio, Umpire, Lockesburg,
  Wilton, Tollette, Winthrop, Gillham, Ben Lomond, Corinth, Center
  Point, Saratoga, Athens, Arkinda, Oak Grove, Silver Ridge, Provo
  and Bellview.

Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in the
warned area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small
creeks and streams, country roads, farmland, and other low lying
spots.

In hilly terrain there are many low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.
If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately.
Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate
precautions to protect life and property.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of Arkansas, southeast Oklahoma, and northeast Texas,
  including the following areas, in Arkansas, Columbia,
  Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada,
  Sevier, and Union. In southeast Oklahoma, McCurtain. In
  northeast Texas, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Franklin, Morris, Red
  River, and Titus.

* Through this evening.

* Additional rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated
  higher amounts in excess of 6 inches, are possible through
  Tuesday afternoon across portions of extreme Northeast Texas,
  McCurtain County Oklahoma, and Southwest Arkansas.

* Flooding may occur in urban and poor drainage areas. Heavy
  rainfall may also cause flooding of creeks, streams, and
  rivers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation.
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

Sevier County Launches their ACT® Work Ready Community Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
06/07/2021 

Arkansas— Sevier County announced today, they have engaged in the process to become a certified ACT Work Ready Community. This practice demonstrates their commitment to developing a strong workforce pipeline, desirable to employers, economic developers, and current and future citizens of the county.

The ACT® Work Ready Communities (ACT® WRC) initiative empowers states, regions, and counties with data, processes, and tools that drive economic growth by identifying skills gaps and quantifying the skill level of their workforce. Participants leverage the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (ACT® WorkKeys® NCRC®) to measure and close skills gaps and build common frameworks that link, align, and match their workforce development efforts.

To begin the Work Ready Communities process, Sevier County leaders attended the ACT Work Ready Communities Boot Camp, an executive leadership and training program designed and led by ACT to initiate, deploy, and drive carefully tailored efforts to improve the county’s work readiness. Leaders meet with local employers, policymakers, educators, and economic developers to reach established goals and build a sustainable WRC model to fit community needs.

“Work Ready Communities have an advantage in economic development in terms of workforce readiness, site selection, and business attraction efforts. Pursuing this initiative is evidence of Sevier County’s ability to address workforce needs,” said Tiffany Maurer, Director of Economic Development for Sevier County.

“Congratulations to Sevier County for joining this initiative, and a growing list of counties dedicated to building a robust workforce,” said ACT Regional Manager, Cheri Tune. “The determination of Sevier County’s leadership to engage in this process demonstrates active partnerships between all stakeholders in the community and will provide the county with an economic development advantage, helping them stand out nationally for their workforce development efforts.”

For more information on this initiative, go to www.workreadycommunities.org and view all of ACT’s workforce solutions at www.act.org/workforce  

Wet Spring Brings Plethora Of Complications For Arkansas' Agriculture

By SARAH KELLOGG

A rainier than average spring in Arkansas brought multiple complications to the state’s agriculture industry, some of which could have longer term implications later in the year.

Data from the National Weather Service’s Precipitation Plot shows that in mid-May, much of Arkansas, particularly western Arkansas, frequently accumulated at least a half inch of rain in a 24-hour period over multiple days. 

According to Amanda McWhirt, an extension specialist working on fruit and vegetable production for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension, the wet weather could have an impact on the state’s strawberry crop, which growers were in the process of harvesting when the rain begain in earnest.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/wet-spring-brings-plethora-complications-arkansas-agriculture

File Photo.

CREDIT CREATIVE COMMONS

$5 Billion Arkansas American Rescue Explained

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law by President Joe Biden in March, delivers $1.9 trillion to state and local governments, individuals, businesses, healthcare and educational institutions all impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of Arkansas' $5 billion share, $1.57 billion is earmarked for state fiscal relief.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/5-billion-arkansas-american-rescue-explained

Scott Hardin, Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration spokesperson, explains how American Rescue Plan is being deployed.

J. FROELICH / KUAF

LIVE VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides Weekly Media Update Tuesday (06.08.21) 130PM

Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide a weekly briefing to media at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (Click play on link above.)

Governor Appoints TV News Veteran As Communications Director

LITTLE ROCK – Shealyn Sowers, an executive producer at KARK and FOX16, will be the new director of communications for the Governor’s Office, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today. She will start June 16.

“Shealyn grew up in Arkansas, went to high school and college in Arkansas, and has worked her entire career as a journalist in Arkansas,” Governor Hutchinson said. “To put it simply, Shealyn knows the Natural State. She has an intimate understanding of Arkansas and Arkansans that has prepared her well to serve the state as my director of communications.”

Ms. Sowers grew up in Clinton and graduated from Clinton High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ouachita Baptist University and a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Central Arkansas.

Ms. Sowers started as an associate producer at KARK in 2012 and worked her way up to produce every newscast. In 2019, she was promoted to executive producer and producer of KARK’s political show “Capitol View.” She won an Emmy for Best Newscast and an Edward R. Murrow award for the station’s coverage of the 2014 tornado that struck Mayflower and Vilonia.  She also won an Emmy for Best Producer in 2018. 

“I am excited to join Governor Hutchinson's staff as director of communications,” Ms. Sowers said. “I’ve enjoyed delivering local news to Arkansans at KARK and FOX16 for the past nine years. I am thrilled and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve my home state in this new role and to work alongside the incredible team in Governor Hutchinson's office.”

Twitter

Shealyn Sowers (@shealynsowers) | Twitter

VIDEO: Governor Calls A Board of Apportionment Meeting Monday

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson called a meeting of the Board of Apportionment for 4 p.m. Monday, June 7, 2021, in Room 151 in the State Capitol. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston joined the Governor for the Board’s second meeting. The Board held an executive session to consider and evaluate a Redistricting Coordinator.

National Weather Service Excessive Rainfall Briefing for SW Arkansas

FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM CDT THIS MORNING THROUGH
TUESDAY MORNING...

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a

* Flash Flood Watch for portions of Arkansas...northwest Louisiana...
  southeast Oklahoma and northeast Texas, including the following
  areas, in Arkansas, Columbia, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little
  River, Miller, Nevada, Sevier and Union. In northwest Louisiana,
  Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne and Webster. In southeast Oklahoma,
  McCurtain. In northeast Texas, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee,
  Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Panola, Red River,
  Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur and Wood.

* From 7 AM CDT this morning through Tuesday morning

* Rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches, with isolated higher amounts
  possible. Rain amounts may occur in a short period of time and may
  impact locations that have seen heavy rainfall over the last few
  days.

* Flooding may occur in urban and poor drainage areas.  Heavy
  rainfall may also cause flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to
Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation. You
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should
Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

We are expecting an active day across the state regarding heavy rainfall and flash flooding potential. With the morning forecast package, the Weather Prediction Center introduced a Moderate risk of excessive rainfall for much of southwest and central Arkansas. The potential 2 to 3 inches of rain over the risk area with some locally greater amounts coupled with antecedent heavy rainfall the last few days has led to a compromised soil surface and increased flash flooding vulnerability. Please see the attached briefing for more in depth information regarding flash flooding potential over the next few days.

Marijuana Card Holder Sues Over Job Loss

by Mark Friedman

A medical marijuana card holder is suing a northwest Arkansas hospital system for withdrawing a job offer after he tested positive for pot, and he says he’s not alone.

Balance “Lance” Reed of Washington County is seeking class-action status against Northwest Arkansas Hospitals LLC of Springdale, which operates several hospitals including Willow Creek Women’s Hospital and Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville.

Under the law, employers can decide not to hire a medical marijuana patient for a “safety-sensitive position,” such as being a truck driver or manufacturing explosives.

https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/136016/marijuana-card-holder-sues-over-job-loss

Arkansas PBS Adds First Of Five New Signals To Expand Coverage

By MICHAEL HIBBLEN

Arkansas PBS is now broadcasting on an additional signal near Russellville. It’s the first of five new transmitters being added this year to provide broadcast coverage to nearly the entire state.

$6.4 million from federal CARES Act funding awarded to the state and allocated by a state steering committee made the expansion possible. Courtney Pledger, executive director and CEO of Arkansas PBS, said in a press release that the funding "enables us to be a truly statewide network and better serve the many Arkansans who live in areas without broadband coverage, or who cannot afford cable, satellite or broadband – those most in need of our education programming and services."

The broadcaster, which is part of the state government, says the project will increase coverage from 76% of Arkansas to 99.5%. Additional signals are expected to be on the air by the end of the year near Mena, Harrison, Texarkana and in Forrest City.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-pbs-adds-first-five-new-signals-expand-coverage

The tower on Lee Mountain near Russellville which is the first of five new signals that Arkansas PBS says will go on the air this year to provide coverage to nearly the entire state.

CREDIT ARKANSAS PBS

Steering Committee Approves $150 Million For Further Broadband Expansion

By SARAH KELLOGG

The state committee in charge of allocating federal funding from the American Rescue Plan approved $150 million to go towards broadband efforts, with an additional $150 million to possibly be approved in a later meeting.

The Arkansas American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Steering Committee met for the second time on Wednesday and spent over an hour discussing the $300 million request from the state’s Department of Commerce to go towards broadband expansion.

In speaking on the request, Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston recalled the millions of federal dollars previously spent on broadband as a part of the CARES Act.

"$120 million is what was utilized from the CARES funding. Those funds were deployed in less than a year’s time and that brought access to 130,000 Arkansans who did not have broadband before," Preston said. "So, 130,000 people in our state who previously did not have access now have access to broadband because of the work that the CARES Steering Committee did and through the Office of Broadband and the Department of Commerce were able to do that."

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/steering-committee-approves-150-million-further-broadband-expansion

In this file photo, the Arkansas American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Steering Committee meets for the first time.

CREDIT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

Common Ground Arkansas Names Board Members

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Common Ground Arkansas, the bipartisan organization founded by Sen. Jim Hendren, I-Gravette, when he left the GOP, announced its board members Thursday (June 3).

Organized now as a 501(c)(4), the group plans to work in three strategic areas:

• Finding and supporting problem solvers loyal to the people in their districts rather than to special interest groups;

• Supporting legislation that addresses the real problems faced by Arkansans;

• Ensuring strong voter power and voter choice

The board members announced are:

• LeAnne Burch, Monticello; Retired Brigadier General, U.S. Army

• Davy Carter, Jonesboro; Banker and Attorney

• Veronica Gromada, Bentonville; Attorney, Walmart

• Sen. Jim Hendren, Sulphur Springs; President, Hendren Plastics

• Mark Isbell, North Little Rock; Partner, Isbell Farms

• Mayor George McGill, Fort Smith; Mayor, Fort Smith

• Andy McNeill, Russellville; CEO, Denali Water Solutions

• Archie Schaffer III, Fayetteville; Consultant and Retired EVP, Tyson Foods

• Sam Sicard, Fort Smith; President and CEO, First National Bank of Fort Smith

• Nate Steel, Little Rock; Attorney, Steel, Wright, Gray, PLLC

Fort Smith Selected for Military Pilot Training Center; Estimated $1 Billion Economic Impact

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith has been selected by acting Secretary of the Air Force John Roth to be the long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

In addition to Ebbing, which is home to the 188th Wing, the finalist sites for the center were Hulman Field (Indiana), Buckley Air Force Base (Colorado), Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (Texas) and Selfridge Air National Guard Base (Michigan).

Officials announced the selection process on July 20, 2020. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the federal agency managing the FMS, notes that the program provides “responsible arms sales to further national security and foreign policy objectives by strengthening bilateral defense relations, supporting coalition building, and enhancing interoperability between U.S. forces and militaries of friends and allies.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/06/fort-smith-selected-for-military-pilot-training-center-estimated-1-billion-economic-impact/

An F-16 flown by the Singapore Air Force.

Monday's SW Arkansas COVID-19 Active Case Numbers and Vaccines

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 2

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 0

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 8
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 0

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | The Critical Importance of Infrastructure Investment

LITTLE ROCK – Two weeks ago, we were all alarmed to learn about a significant crack in a beam that supports the I-40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge, which connects Arkansas and Tennessee.

Inspectors found no other problems, and now that the repair has begun, we can breathe easier. I am grateful inspectors found that crack and prevented a catastrophe.

I’m also thankful that Arkansans passed Issue 1 last year to keep the half-cent sales tax for road construction and maintenance. That investment provides continued state funds for the inspection and repair of our highways, roads, and bridges.

We’ve been hearing much talk recently about infrastructure. Congress is negotiating an infrastructure package with President Biden. Some of the discussion focuses on exactly what qualifies as infrastructure.

In my view, infrastructure includes highways, roads, airports, ship ports, power grids, water supply, communication systems, and now the broadband system. Infrastructure requires partnerships between the private sector and government, and cooperation between state government and federal government.

Today, our attention is on our transportation infrastructure and the bridge that crosses the Mississippi River between West Memphis and Memphis. The bridge opened in 1973, and the Arkansas Department of Transportation has retrofit it for earthquakes. About 41,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day. Since we discovered the cracked beam, we have closed the bridge and rerouted traffic to the I-55 bridge, which opened in 1949. Bridge inspectors from Arkansas and Tennessee inspected the bridge after we closed the DeSoto bridge and found the I-55 bridge to be safe.

The company that is repairing the bridge has bolted steel plates on each side of the cracked beam. The company has hung the platforms that will support the repair crews.

We don’t know how long the bridge will remain closed, but the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation said on Thursday that the repairs may not be completed until August. The closure has caused delays that are costing the trucking industry $2.4 million a day. That’s just one of the costs when we have to shut down a piece of the infrastructure that connects our nation.

This near disaster illustrates how interdependent we are. It also illustrates the urgency for states to be proactive in maintaining infrastructure. That is why Issue 1 was so important. Our investment in highways provides Arkansas the resources to inspect roads and bridges and to keep them in good repair, and to respond quickly to emergencies.

Everyone knows we need good roads for our daily lives. We also know that maintaining safe roads is expensive. I am grateful that Arkansas voters were willing to approve the money that will allow us to keep our roads and bridges safe.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Tourism in Arkansas is making a big comeback. While the pandemic severely impacted the industry in 2020, there are signs that tourism is rebounding and doing better than before the health emergency began.

The tourism tax collections for March 2021 exceeded collections from March 2019 by 14.6%. From mountain biking adventures to world-class art museums, Arkansas destinations play an essential role in our economy.

Before the pandemic, travel-supported jobs represented 6.6% of Arkansas’s total private industry employment. We also know that 8.4 jobs are created for every $1million spent on tourism in our state.

That is why every session, we consider legislation to improve the industry.

In the most recent session, we passed Act 777, An Act to Establish the Arkansas Cultural Institutions Trust Fund Act. This legislation directs the Division of Arkansas Heritage to promulgate rules for the distribution of grants to non-profit organizations that acquire or exhibit works of art or works of cultural or historical significance.

Act 840 allows the Division of Heritage to issue up to $8 million in historic rehabilitation income tax credits each year. The current maximum amount of credits given is $4 million.

We passed Act 652, which allows for dynamic pricing at state parks.

The division may increase or decrease approved rates charged for lodging, camping, events, services, and all other accommodations using a dynamic pricing strategy based on market forces such as seasonal variation in demand, occupancy, market analysis, and special event interest to maximize revenues from the use of state resources to promote the fiscal soundness and long-term sustainability.

The legislature also created the Arkansas Legislative Arts and Technology Boot Camp with Act 577. The camp will issue a final written report, including an inventory of Arkansas’s statewide arts and cultural assets, and identify funding needs to maintain a statewide database.

Arkansas is home to experiences and attractions found nowhere else. We encourage you to explore everything our state has to offer this summer.

Friday COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 2

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Confirmed Cases: 11
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 0

Vendors for Stand-Up America Celebration in Nashville June 26th

If you would like to be a vendor at the upcoming Stand-Up for America Celebration on June 26th starting at 1:00 p.m. at the City park…call the park office (845-7405) and schedule a spot for your vendor booth. All Chamber members there is no charge, otherwise the price is: $50.00 for food vendors, and $25.00 for all others.

There will be an antique car show, and a softball tournament going on in the park that day as well. Come join us in the 100 year old birthday of the Chamber, and tribute to our country and our service men and women!!

 Thanks,

Mike Reese,

Director

VIDEO: Sevier County Hospital Board Meeting Thursday, 06/03

VIDEO: Freedom Fest Fundraising Effort for New Samaritan Soccer Fields

Tony Soto, Esteban Ochoa, and Rafael Figueroa stopped in to talk about the upcoming Freedom Fest as well as the fundraising effort for the new Samaritan Fields soccer complex.