Texarkana, Texas – Drivers across the Texas-Oklahoma-Arkansas tri-state could face water-covered highways within hours as repeated thunderstorms redevelop across the ArkLaTex region this afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service, a marginal risk of flash flooding remains in effect through Wednesday night for northeast Texas, southeast Oklahoma and southwest Arkansas. Storms may drop 2 to 4 inches of rain in localized bands, especially where cells repeatedly move over the same counties near the Red River.
Communities including Texarkana, Idabel, De Queen and Ashdown face the greatest concern for rapid runoff. Low-lying stretches of Interstate 30 near the state line and Interstate 49 south of Texarkana are vulnerable to ponding during intense downpours. Rural farm-to-market roads and low-water crossings could become impassable if rainfall rates exceed drainage capacity. Smaller creeks feeding the Red River basin may rise quickly with back-to-back storms.
Motorists should avoid flooded roadways, reduce speed during heavy rain and never attempt to cross barricaded bridges. Just 6 to 12 inches of moving water can sweep away a vehicle.
Additional flood advisories or warnings may be issued if storms continue training across the Texas-Oklahoma-Arkansas border region through Wednesday night.
