A strong upper level low pressure system moved from the desert southwest into the Southern Plains in late December. Unseasonably moist air was in place across the region ahead of this approaching system as Pacific moisture in the mid and upper levels combined with very moist air in the low levels from the Gulf of Mexico. Strong atmospheric lift from the approaching upper level low and a warm front moving across the area, combined with this moisture, resulted in widespread locally heavy rainfall and isolated severe weather. Widespread eight to ten inches of rain fell across northwest Arkansas with locally up to a foot recorded. Widespread and significant flooding occurred across the area as a result. Daily rainfall records were broken during this event in Fort Smith and Fayetteville. This heavy rain event to end the month of December also resulted in it being the wettest December on record at Fort Smith with 10.81 inches observed during the month, and at Fayetteville where 10.95 inches fell.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 26-DEC-15 20:45:00 to 26-DEC-15 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGDALE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong thunderstorm wind pushed a detached garage off its foundation, snapped several trees, and moved a stock trailer approximately 20 feet.

Hail in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:15:00 to 26-DEC-15 21:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRAIRIE GROVE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 13:01:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: URSULA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 252 east of Lavaca were closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 26-DEC-15 19:30:00 to 27-DEC-15 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAVETTE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Heavy rainfall flooded Leonard Ranch Road. A swift water rescue was conducted after a vehicle was driven into the flood water.

Flash Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 26-DEC-15 20:15:00 to 27-DEC-15 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELLA VISTA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Pumpkin Hollow Road north of Bentonville was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 26-DEC-15 20:15:00 to 27-DEC-15 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAYSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Highways 43 and 102 were closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 26-DEC-15 20:32:00 to 27-DEC-15 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECATUR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Flooding was reported on Highway 102 east of Decatur.

Flash Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 26-DEC-15 20:15:00 to 27-DEC-15 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAVETTE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Rocky Dale Hollow, Falling Springs, Prichard and Big Springs Roads were closed due to flooding.

Flood in CARROLL, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUREKA SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 23 north of Eureka Springs was closed due to flooding.

Flood in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOUNTAINBURG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 282 southwest of Mountainburg was closed due to flooding.

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAVACA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 96 east of Lavaca was closed due to flooding.

Flood in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAVOY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 16 west of Fayetteville was closed due to flooding.

Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAVE SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 264 west of Cave Springs was closed due to flooding.

Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 26-DEC-15 22:44:00 to 27-DEC-15 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECATUR ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads across the county were flooded and impassable, most notably west of Highway 59 and north of Highway 102.

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 13:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARLING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 255 east of Barling were closed due to flooding.

Flood in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 13:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MEADOWS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 282 north of Alma were closed due to flooding.

Flood in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 17:36:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHEELER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 16 west of Fayetteville were closed due to flooding.

Flood in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 20:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUDY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 282 southwest of Rudy was closed due to flooding.

Flood in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 20:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 23 southwest of Cass was closed due to flooding.

Flood in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 20:43:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DENNING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 23 near Turners Bend were closed due to flooding.

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTRAL CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 255 northeast of Central City was closed due to flooding.

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANSFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Numerous roads were reported closed due to flooding.

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAVACA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 252 southeast of Lavaca was closed due to flooding.

Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 21:11:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENTONVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Several streets in town were flooded and impassable.

Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 21:11:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SILOAM SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Several streets in and around town were flooded and impassable.

Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 21:11:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENTONVILLE MUNI ARP
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Several roads were closed due to flooding.

Flood in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 21:11:00 to 28-DEC-15 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAYETTEVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Several streets were closed due to flooding.

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 28-DEC-15 03:35:00 to 29-DEC-15 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREENWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Portions of Highway 96 were closed due to flooding.

Flood in CARROLL, ARKANSAS
From 28-DEC-15 09:20:00 to 29-DEC-15 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEAVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 187 near the Beaver Bridge were closed due to flooding.

Flood in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 28-DEC-15 18:31:00 to 29-DEC-15 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: STRICKLER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A section of Highway 220 was closed due to rock slide.

Flood in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 29-DEC-15 12:25:00 to 30-DEC-15 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELM SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Javellow Road was closed near Brush Creek due to flooding.

Flood in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 29-DEC-15 12:25:00 to 30-DEC-15 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: JOHNSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Ball Street in Johnson was closed due to flooding.

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 30-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MASSARD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 22 in Fort Smith were closed due to flooding.

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 30-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAVACA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 96 were closed due to flooding.

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 30-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: URSULA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 252 east of Lavaca were closed due to flooding.

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 30-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARLING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 255 east of Barling were closed due to flooding.

Flood in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 30-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEBB CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 309 near Highway 23 south of Ozark was closed due to flooding.

Flood in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 30-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MEG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 288 near Highway 23 south of Ozark were closed due to flooding.

Flood in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 30-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRANCH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 41 near Highway 22 south of Cecil were closed due to flooding.

Flood in CARROLL, ARKANSAS
From 30-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEAVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 187 near the Beaver Bridge remained closed due to continued flooding.

Flood in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 30-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: (FSM)FT SMITH MUNI A
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 255 in Fort Smith were closed due to flooding.

Flood in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 30-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: STRICKLER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 220 were closed due to flooding.