Flooding in the Midwest
Devastating storms in the Midwest have led to flooding across Arkansas and some other states. According to local forecasters five to ten inches of rain fell over a two and a half day period. Excessive run-off from last weeks’ rain will push river levels even higher in Arkansas. Flooding has also affected neighbouring states Missouri and Illinois.
Officials have only been able to assess the damage where the water has receded. Nearly half the state has been declared federal disaster areas. One person was killed in the storms, and another remains missing.
The National Weather Service issued a flash-flood warning earlier this week for the White River, downstream from the town Des Arc. Forecasters said that flooding in some areas could be the worst in 25 years and authorities have warned local residents that they would soon be affected by rising waters, possibly a foot a day.
The floodwaters have had an impact on wheat already plated this spring. Muddy waters which have run through fields for days, have diluted expensive fertilizer treatments applied to the soil. Experts say that grain under water for over a week is unlikely to survive.
