Much above normal rainfall occurred in May, which led to river flooding along the White and Black Rivers.  Crop losses were reported by farmers in eastern Arkansas.
Clarendon set a record for the wettest May ever recorded in the city.

Flood in JACKSON, ARKANSAS
From 01-MAY-09 00:01:00 to 31-MAY-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTERVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Public

The Black River at Black Rock was more than 8 feet above flood stage.  This caused flooding downstream in Jackson County with more than 20 thousand acres of row crop farmland flooded.  Perhaps as many as 5,000 acres of newly planted soybeans, at a cost of more than $50 per acre, were lost.  Damages could be counted at double that value due to re-plant costs.

Flood in INDEPENDENCE, ARKANSAS
From 01-MAY-09 00:01:00 to 27-MAY-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: TURKEY HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: Public

Heavy rainfall in May pushed the Black River stage at Black Rock to more than 8 feet above flood stage.  Over bank flooding caused the newly planted soybean crop to fail and also flooded and destroyed a number of acres of a standing corn crop.  As many as 24,000 acres of row crops were flooded, but not all were planted.  Losses of 5,000 acres of soybeans were estimated, along with 1,000 acres of corn.  High water also delayed the initial planting of the remainder of the area.  Rice planting was delayed, which can impact final yields.  Arkansas Highway 37 near Cord was also flooded for more than a week.

Flood in JACKSON, ARKANSAS
From 01-MAY-09 00:01:00 to 31-MAY-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: JACKSONPORT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 200.00K
Reported by: Public

While the stage of the White River did not exceed flood stage at Newport, over bank flooding caused the destruction of thousands of acres of a young soybean crop.  A stage in excess of 12 feet begins to break out into row crops and 16 to 21 feet covers a large area of the flood plain.  Stages at Newport varied from 14 to 23 feet during the month of May.  As many as 30,000 acres could have been impacted with crop plantings delayed or young crops destroyed.

Flood in WHITE, ARKANSAS
From 01-MAY-09 00:01:00 to 31-MAY-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ANDREWS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 150.00K
Reported by: Public

About 15,000 acres of cropland flooded in White County in the area below the Little Red River.  The stage of the White River at Georgetown was above flood stage from the 7th to the 19th of May.  Some newly planted soybeans were lost and replanting was delayed due to the high river stage.

Flood in WOODRUFF, ARKANSAS
From 01-MAY-09 00:01:00 to 31-MAY-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLEASANT GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 200.00K
Reported by: Public

More than 20,000 acres of row crops were flooded in Woodruff County during the month of May.  As many as 5,000 acres were planted in soybeans.

Flood in PRAIRIE, ARKANSAS
From 01-MAY-09 00:01:00 to 31-MAY-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENARC
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Public

Areas within the White River levees in Prairie County were flooded for most of the month of May.  Several thousand acres of crop land were impacted by the high stages and crop plantings were delayed.  About 2,000 acres of young soybeans were destroyed.

Flood in WHITE, ARKANSAS
From 01-MAY-09 00:01:00 to 31-MAY-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIO VISTA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: Public

High stages on the White River caused crop damages.  The White River stage at Augusta remained above flood stage all month.  The White River stage at Georgetown remained above flood stage from May 7th to 19th.  Young soybean crops were destroyed and new plantings delayed.