A strong storm system slowly moved from the central Rockies into the Southern and Central Plains on the 4th and 5th. The associated surface frontal boundary located over northern Texas early on the 4th moved north as a warm front into northwestern Arkansas during the early morning hours of the 5th, and then near the Missouri border during the day ahead of a cold front. This pattern resulted in several rounds of thunderstorms across northwestern Arkansas on the 4th through the morning hours of the 5th. The heaviest rainfall occurred in northwestern Arkansas during the late evening of the 4th and early morning of the 5th, with widespread flooding occurring across several counties.  In addition to the flash flooding, the widespread, heavy rainfall that fell across the Arkansas River basin in eastern Oklahoma resulted in moderate flooding along the Arkansas River near Van Buren.

Flash Flood in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 05-MAY-22 02:41:00 to 05-MAY-22 05:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAYETTEVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Fayetteville FD performed multiple swift water rescues for people stranded in their vehicles in flood water near W Wedington Drive and I-49. Apartments and several homes in the area were evacuated due to the rising flood water.

Flash Flood in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 05-MAY-22 03:00:00 to 05-MAY-22 05:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGDALE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Portions of Highway 71B in Springdale were flooded and closed.

Flash Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 05-MAY-22 03:19:00 to 05-MAY-22 05:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAVE SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Cross Creek overflowed its banks and flooded West Wagon Wheel Road.

Flash Flood in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 05-MAY-22 06:14:00 to 05-MAY-22 08:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOUNTAINBURG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Highway 282 was flooded and closed at Frog Bayou.

Flood in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 05-MAY-22 06:56:00 to 05-MAY-22 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAVOY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Portions of Highway 16 were flooded, and a vehicle was stranded at the bridge over the Illinois River.

Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 05-MAY-22 07:04:00 to 05-MAY-22 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAVETTE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Portions of Highway 59 between Gravette and Sulphur Springs were flooded and closed.

Flood in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 05-MAY-22 11:30:00 to 07-MAY-22 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VAN BUREN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Arkansas River near Van Buren rose above its flood stage of 22 feet at 12:30 pm CDT on May 5th. The river crested at 27.33 feet at 11:00 am CDT on the 6th, resulting in moderate flooding. Extensive lowland flooding occurred east of the I-540 bridge, and businesses in the floodplain were flooded. Monetary damage from this flood was unknown. The river fell below flood stage at midnight on the 8th.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 05-MAY-22 00:01:00 to 05-MAY-22 00:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAYETTEVILLE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down several trees.

Flash Flood in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 05-MAY-22 00:30:00 to 05-MAY-22 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAYETTEVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Portions of Town Branch Creek and Cato Springs Branch Creek flooded nearby roads. A woman was swept away by flood water near where Beechwood Avenue crosses Town Branch Creek.