Drasco, Arkansas

The National Weather Service in Little Rock has issued a

* Flood Warning for...
Faulkner County in central Arkansas
Lonoke County in central Arkansas
Prairie County in central Arkansas
White County in central Arkansas
Jackson County in eastern Arkansas
Woodruff County in eastern Arkansas
Cleburne County in north central Arkansas
Independence County in north central Arkansas
Stone County in north central Arkansas
Van Buren County in north central Arkansas

* until 1000 am CST

* at 354 am CST... National Weather Service Doppler radar continued
to indicate a large area of moderate to heavy rain across the
area. Rainfall amounts of one to three inches have been reported
since late Wednesday. Light to moderate rainfall will continue
through the early morning hour. Excessive runoff will cause
flooding of rivers... streams and low water crossings over central
and eastern Arkansas.

* Locations in the warning include... but are not limited to...
Conway... Lonoke... Cabot... Searcy... Heber Springs... Newport and
Batesville.

A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or has been reported.
Stream rises will be slow and flash flooding is not expected.
However... all interested parties should take necessary precautions
immediately.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding. If flooding is observed act quickly. Move up to
higher ground to escape flood waters. Do not stay in areas subject to
flooding when water begins rising.

Lat... Lon 3490 9137 3457 9138 3457 9159 3448 9160
      3449 9202 3502 9207 3486 9244 3498 9259
      3546 9247 3547 9284 3572 9280 3579 9242
      3597 9241 3612 9218 3604 9206 3594 9211
      3587 9189 3590 9104 3589 9103 3501 9104


44

... Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until noon CST today...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* portions of central Arkansas... eastern Arkansas... north
central Arkansas... southeast Arkansas... southwest Arkansas and
western Arkansas... including the following areas... in central
Arkansas... Conway... Faulkner... Garland... Grant... Lonoke...
Perry... Pope... prairie... Pulaski... Saline... white and Yell. In
eastern Arkansas... Jackson... Monroe and Woodruff. In north
central Arkansas... Baxter... Boone... Cleburne... Fulton...
Independence... Izard... Marion... Newton... Searcy... sharp...
stone and Van Buren. In southeast Arkansas... Arkansas...
Bradley... Cleveland... Desha... Drew... Jefferson and Lincoln. In
southwest Arkansas... Calhoun... Clark... Dallas... Hot Spring...
Ouachita and Pike. In western Arkansas... Johnson... Logan...
Montgomery... Polk and Scott.

* Until noon CST today

* rain will be heavy at times today. Widespread additional amounts
of one to two inches are expected. This may cause flash
flooding in some areas.

* Vegetation has become mostly dormant... and will not use nearly as
much water as during the growing season. Given this... rain will
not go into the soil as readily... with high water problems
becoming more of a concern.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to
take action if flash flood warnings are issued.

... Lake Wind Advisory remains in effect until 6 PM CST Friday...

A lake Wind Advisory remains in effect until 6 PM CST Friday.

* Winds will increase today... and will remain strong and gusty
through Christmas day.

* South to southeast winds at 15 to 25 mph today will shift to the
west and southwest during the afternoon... and will increase to
25 to 35 mph. Gusts could exceed 40 mph. Given this... a Wind
Advisory may need to be posted for this afternoon through the
overnight hours. West winds at 15 to 25 mph will continue on
Christmas day.

* Windy conditions will create dangerous conditions on area bodies
of water. Small craft will be especially prone to capsizing. If
wind gusts become strong enough... trees and power lines may be
downed in some areas this afternoon and evening.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Boaters will need to exercise extreme caution if they decide to
go out on the water. Remember... due to reduced friction... winds
over open water are stronger than those reported at stations on
land.

... Record daily maximum rainfall set at Little Rock Adams Field...

a record rainfall of 4.60 inch(es) was set at Little Rock Adams
Field yesterday. This breaks the old record of 3.42 set in 1891.