Flood Warning Issued for Ouachita River at Camden Affecting Ouachita and Calhoun Counties
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the Ouachita River at Camden, with minor flooding expected to impact low-lying areas and parks through Thursday afternoon.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Little Rock, AR, has issued a Flood Warning for the Ouachita River at Camden. This alert is effective immediately and remains in place until early Thursday afternoon, February 19.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically covers the Ouachita River at Camden, impacting the following regions in Arkansas:
- Ouachita County
- Calhoun County
Specific locations mentioned in the forecast include Jones Mill DCP, Arkadelphia, Camden, and Thatcher L&D.
What You Should Do
Residents and motorists are advised to take the following precautions:
- Turn around, don’t drown: Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Do not attempt to drive around barricades or through flooded areas.
- Avoid water crossings: Do not attempt to cross water-covered bridges, dips, or low water crossings.
- Stay on foot: Never try to cross a flowing stream on foot, even a small one.
- Seek higher ground: If you encounter rising water, find an alternative route over higher ground.
Expected Conditions
Minor flooding is forecast for the region. As of 8:30 AM CST on Monday, the river stage was recorded at 16.8 feet.
- Flood Stage: 26.0 feet.
- Forecasted Crest: The river is expected to rise above flood stage late this evening, reaching a crest of 27.5 feet early Tuesday afternoon, February 17.
- Impacts at 26.0 feet: Low-lying pastures and timber land along the river begin to flood. Sandy Beach Park at Camden will also begin to flood.
- Impacts at 28.0 feet: (For reference) Sandy Beach Park and portions of the Riverwalk area off Washington Street are inundated, and State Highway 7 off 79B becomes inundated.
Timeline
- Onset: The river is expected to rise above flood stage late Monday evening, February 16.
- Crest: Early Tuesday afternoon, February 17.
- Recession: The river is forecast to fall below flood stage on Wednesday morning.
- Expiration: The Flood Warning is currently set to expire at 1:18 PM CST on Thursday, February 19.
Source: NOAA Official Notice