Black River reaching ‘major flood stage’

CORNING, Ark. (KAIT) - While the Black River is starting to crest in Missouri, it’s expected to reach “major flood stage” further downstream in Arkansas.

Meteorologist Aaron Castleberry said Sunday morning the river was 19.65 feet and cresting in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Further south in Corning, the river is at a “major flood stage” of 12.7 feet and rising. It is expected to crest at 16.5 feet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 8. The record stage is 18.1 feet.

In Pocahontas, the Black River is currently at 21.17 feet and rising. As of Sunday morning, it was at a “minor flood stage” but was expected to reach “moderate flood stage” by the afternoon.

The river is not expected to crest in Pocahontas until Thursday morning with a moderate flood stage of 24 feet, short of the record stage of 28.9 feet.

IDriveArkansas showed Highway 304, between Highway 67 and Delaplaine, was closed due to flooding.

Should it reach the “major flood stage” of 25 feet, evacuations would be needed. In December of 1982, the river crested at 25.2 feet, flooding homes and businesses.

The river was at “major flood stage” as it began cresting Sunday morning at 29.74 in Black Rock. The record is 31.9 feet.

The river is expected to fall back to the moderate flood stage early in the week, but will stay just above 25 feet.

State Highway 25, between Black Rock and Powhatan, is closed due to high water.

Several other roads are also closed.

Before heading out, check with Arkansas Department of Transportation or the Missouri Department of Transportation for the latest road closures.

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