Washington County floods as heavy rain hits the area, vehicles wash off roads

SPRINGDALE -- Flash flooding washed several vehicles off roadways and trapped one person in a mobile home as creeks swelled and roads became covered with water, said John Luther, director of Washington County Emergency Management Department.

No one was injured, Luther said.

People were caught off guard and ended up needing rescued, Luther said. Emergency workers responded to about six calls with multiple people involved, he said.

"There's not a lot of warning that comes with (flash flooding)," Luther said.

The National Weather Service in Tulsa, Okla., issued a flood warning around 3:50 p.m. Friday, but people still tried to drive across roads that were under water, Luther said. Vehicles stalled and started washing off roads around 5:15 p.m. Friday, Luther said.

Prairie Grove was working four or five simultaneous emergency calls around 5:30 p.m. Friday, Fire Chief J.C. Dobbs said.

A man was stranded inside his home because of rising water, but he was not in any danger, Luther said.

Flooded areas included Lincoln, Morrow, West Fork and Prairie Grove, Luther said. Flooded roads in the county included Lincoln Canehill Road and South Arkansas 45, officials said.

The Sheriff's Office reported flooding on Cove Creek North and Prairie Grove Lake Road in a news releases posted online. Logs were floating across one road, according to the release.

By 6 p.m. Friday, the flood water was starting to recede, said Becky Stewart, chief at Central EMS.

Stewart said most calls for help Friday weren't life-threatening, but flood water is dangerous. Luther said drivers should pay attention and not drive on roads covered by still or moving water.

Residents were lucky no one was hurt, he said.

NW News on 06/27/2015

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