Heavy rains fell in Pine Bluff in spring 2015 and in December 2015, causing major flooding in neighborhoods along the Arkansas River.
A series of storms drenched Southeast Arkansas in May and June, causing water to enter houses in the low-lying Island Harbor Marina neighborhood and Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Regional Park. Some residents evacuated in advance of the floods while others remained in place despite advance warnings.
The flooding was voted the No. 2 story of the year by the staff of The Commercial.
The National Weather Service reported the Arkansas River at Pine Bluff reached 45.9 feet on Thursday, June 4, its highest crest since 1990. The flood stage at Pine Bluff is 42 feet.
Floyd Fullerton, who has lived in the Island Harbor area for 35 years, was one of many residents of that area who had to gert to their property by boats because the roads were impassable.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Churches, governmental agencies and other organizations assisted people who were impacted by the flooding, with the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army providing supplies and food at two emergency shelters across the river.
In July, representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration came to the Pine Bluff Convention Center where they met with Jefferson County residents who experienced weather-related damage this year.
“They have a staff of specialists who will review insurance needs and [Small Business Administration] loans,” Pine Bluff Convention Center executive director Bob Purvis said July 7. “Anyone in Jefferson County who had damage from flooding can speak with FEMA. They have qualifying tests to see if you are eligible for assistance.”
In November, Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Department Director April Layher said the spring floods caused damage inside Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Regional Park. The waters ruined electrical equipment, a softball/baseball park, the floor to concession stands, bathrooms, air conditioners in the concession stands, electrical lights at the entrance to the park, a storage building near a recreational vehicle park and a backhoe.
Layher said her department submitted claims of about $73,000 to FEMA. She said she hopes to receive at least $60,000 from FEMA.
Heavy rains fell in December, causing another round of flooding. The Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends opened for the season on Nov. 17 but the weather caused the attraction to be closed for a total of nine days, including from Sunday, Dec. 27 through Thursday, Dec. 31.
According to National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Koch, the Arkansas River was expected to crest at 46 feet on Thursday, Dec. 31, or Friday, Jan. 1, and current predictions are that it will stay about 46 feet through the first few days of 2016.
The Wright-Pastoria and Swan Lake Volunteer Fire Departments opened shelters at their respective fire stations beginning Tuesday. Jefferson County Judge Dutch King advised people who needed help to call the Jefferson County Road Department at 870-534-7020, his office at 870-541-5360 or the Office of Emergency Management at 870-541-5470.
“Most of these people have been through this time and time again. They know how bad it will be,” King said Dec. 28. “We have been taking sandbags to areas that have been hit hardest. Some people will move to higher ground. It is a bad situation.”
On Tuesday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson declared Jefferson County a disaster area, making residents eligible for state money to help with cleanup.