County updates road closings

The county road department has closed the section of Speers Circle that crosses Big Blakely Creek, which has overflowed the roadway. Residents who live north of the creek will have to take the long way around to get back to Highway 298 in the Jessieville area, according to the county. Photo is courtesy of Bo Robertson, director of the Garland County Department of Emergency Management.
The county road department has closed the section of Speers Circle that crosses Big Blakely Creek, which has overflowed the roadway. Residents who live north of the creek will have to take the long way around to get back to Highway 298 in the Jessieville area, according to the county. Photo is courtesy of Bo Robertson, director of the Garland County Department of Emergency Management.

11:15 a.m. Friday update:

Bo Robertson, director of the Garland County Department of Emergency Management, has provided the following list of roads that have been impacted by high water:

• Brady Mountain Cutoff bridge, impassable.

• The 5500 block of Park Avenue has standing water.

• Water over the 1000, 2500 and 3500 blocks of Amity Road, which is still passable.

• The 5500 block of Millcreek Road is impassable.

• Deerpark Road is impassable.

• Water is over the road in the 3700 block of Park Avenue.

• Water is over the road on West Glazypeau and Glazy Acres, but still passable.

• Owensville Road is not passable.


7:15 a.m. Friday update:

The Jessieville, Cutter Morning Star and Mountain Pine school districts announced this morning that they would be closed today, with two of the districts citing flooding as the reason for closing.

"Due to heavy rains, outlying road conditions, and the risk of further flooding, school is canceled for Friday, February 23, 2018. Students should complete the second day of PRIDE work. Teachers and administration will be available by phone and email from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Friday. The elementary Daddy-daughter dance will be held as scheduled," Jessieville School District said in a posting on its Facebook page.

"No school today. Students complete day 2 of AMI for a Friday. Dance for tonight postponed and a new date will be set," Cutter Morning Star posted on its Facebook page.

"Due to extreme flooding, the Mountain Pine School District will be closed today, February 23rd, 2018. Stay safe and dry," the school district posted on its page.


6 a.m. Friday update:

Due to the continued rainfall into the local watershed overnight, Entergy Arkansas Inc.'s Hydro Operations office activated another high-flow event just after 4 a.m. Friday.

"All of our tributaries are continuing to bring significant runoff into lakes Hamilton and Catherine and we will continue to adjust flows from our gates accordingly," according to an email from the Hydro Operations office.

Entergy was releasing 40,671.03 cubic feet per second of water from Remmel Dam into the Ouachita River Friday morning.


photo

The Sentinel-Record/Grace Brown HYDROPLANED: A Chevrolet Tahoe rests on its side after hydroplaning on the eastbound side of the King Expressway near the Carpenter Dam exit shortly before 2:30 p.m. Thursday. None of the four occupants were reportedly injured in the wreck, but traffic was blocked until a wrecker could respond and remove the vehicle.

Original article:

Much of the state, including Garland County, was placed under a new flood watch Thursday afternoon, as the National Weather Service said the threat for river and flash flooding remained possible through Saturday.

Both Entergy Arkansas Inc., which manages lakes Hamilton and Catherine, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages Lake Ouachita, also warned boaters to be wary of the substantial amount of debris washed into the lakes by the heavy rainfall.

A non-failure high water event that Entergy's Hydro Operations office declared under its Emergency Action Plan at around 4:40 a.m. Wednesday was deactivated at 4:12 a.m. Thursday, Entergy's Hydro Operations office said in statement released by email.

The discharge from Remmel Dam, which forms Lake Catherine above the Ouachita River, peaked at 46,890 cubic feet per second of water. The high-water notification is triggered when the release from Remmel reaches 30,000 cfs.

The official rainfall amount recorded at Hot Springs Memorial Field was 4.26 inches of rain on Wednesday, and 1.15 inches of rain on Tuesday, according to preliminary climate data posted online by the Weather Service.

David Batson, Entergy's lakes manager, said Wednesday that rainfall amounts varied by location, with western areas of the county, where it began to rain earlier, receiving higher amounts. On Thursday, Entergy said that its gauges showed the area received between 3 and 6.5 inches of rain.

A flood watch means there is a potential for high water problems based on the current forecast of heavy rain, according to the Weather Service.

"Heavy rain fell across much of southern, central and eastern Arkansas the last couple days, with 3 to locally more than 5 inches observed," the Weather Service said, and "several more rounds of showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast through Saturday."

An additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall are forecast, with locally higher amounts possible, it said.

Given the recent heavy rainfall, the ground has become saturated and, as a result, the runoff potential has increased, resulting in an increased threat for flash and river flooding through Saturday, the Weather Service said.

"We will be monitoring lake levels and adjusting flow accordingly," Entergy said in its email. "Both lakes are again being lowered toward the bottom (of) their rule curves in preparation."

Heavy rainfall overnight led to flooded roadways and prompted Entergy to open spillway gates at Remmel and Carpenter dams to maintain lake levels on Wednesday.

The target elevation for Lake Hamilton this winter was 396.7 feet above mean sea level, with a daily fluctuation range between 397.20 and 396.20 feet msl. Lake Catherine's target level was 301 feet msl, with a daily fluctuation range between 300 and 302 feet msl. Both lakes were drawn down 3 feet this winter for the annual drawdown.

As of Thursday afternoon, Lake Hamilton was at 396.27 feet above mean sea level, while Lake Catherine was at 300.33 feet msl.

Remmel Dam was still flowing around 8,900 cfs Thursday afternoon.

Releases from Blakely Mountain Dam, which forms Lake Ouachita above Lake Hamilton, have been canceled until they are cleared from their restrictions, which may take a few days yet, Entergy said in its email.

"We advise lakefront property owners and downstream river users to be aware of the weather and understand that this is a flash flood-prone river valley. Please take the appropriate precautions against flash flooding," it said.

The Lake Ouachita Field Office of the Corps of Engineers on Thursday urged boaters to take extra safety measures on Lake Ouachita due to rapidly rising lake levels and the large amount of debris that has washed into the lake after this week's heavy rain.

Lake Ouachita is currently at 573.76 feet above mean sea level, which is "well below" flood stage, the Corps of Engineers said in a news release, but the rapidly rising lake level causes debris and downed trees to dislodge and be carried into the lake by strong currents caused by the inflow of water.

"This floating debris may be difficult to see and is potentially very hazardous to unsuspecting boaters. Boaters are asked to use extreme caution while boating on the lake while these debris fields are present. The best advice for boaters venturing out on the Arkansas lakes is to slow down, wear your lifejacket at all times, and keep a vigilant lookout for water hazards," the release said.

Boaters were also asked to remember that although the weather is getting warmer, "the rain-cooled water is still very cold."

"Cold water immersion can result in hypothermia. A mishap resulting in a fall overboard could end in tragedy unless you are wearing a lifejacket," the release said.

The Corps of Engineers also said boating at night is discouraged due to low visibility combined with water hazards from the storms.

"If you are boating at night, leave a float plan with family members or friends, ensure all lights are working on the boat, and carry a fully charged cellphone or marine band radio to call for assistance. Most importantly, always wear your lifejacket," the release said.

Local on 02/23/2018

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