The National Weather Service in Little Rock has issued a flood warning for the Arkansas River at Pine Bluff affecting Jefferson County, and more rain is expected over the weekend, according to the forecast. Jefferson County Judge Henry “Hank” Wilkins IV issued an alert Friday afternoon, saying that “everyone with property or other interest along streams and rivers should take the necessary precautions to protect their property and physical well-being.”
The flood warning will continue for the Arkansas River at Pine Bluff until further notice or until the warning is cancelled by the NWS. Moderate flooding is forecasted. At 1 p.m. Friday, the Arkansas River stage at Pine Bluff was 36.13 feet.
Flood stage is 42.0 feet. The river is forecasted to rise to 40 feet on Sunday and to rise above flood stage by late Monday morning and continue to rise to near 44.0 feet by Tuesday afternoon. River forecasts are based on current conditions and rainfall forecasted to occur over the next 48 hours. According to the NWS, thunderstorms with heavy rainfall are expected through Sunday, with several inches of rain possible.