Arkansas nursing home evacuates 86 people amid Flash Flood Emergency
Around 11 inches of rain have been reported to have fallen in central Marion County, leading to numerous washed-out bridges and ongoing water rescues by local law enforcement.
Floodwaters wash out bridges, roads in Arkansas
FOX Weather's Robert Ray is in Yellville, Arkansas, where dozens of people were rescued on Wednesday during a Flash Flood Emergency.
YELLVILLE, Ark. – A Flash Flood Emergency was declared in a northern Arkansas town Wednesday morning as torrential rains led to rushing waters pouring into homes and prompting urgent evacuations.
As much as 11 inches of rain fell near Yellville in central Marion County, leading to numerous washed-out bridges and multiple water rescues by local law enforcement.
Marion County Sheriff Gregg Alexander confirmed to FOX Weather that 86 people were evacuated from the Creekside Nursing Home in Yellville during the height of the rain. No deaths or injuries have been reported in the town of approximately 5,000.
Those nursing home residents are now at a community center and safe.
A spokesperson for the Creekside facility at Yellville told FOX Weather that all residents are safe.
"All 83 residents from the Creekside at the Springs in Yellville were evacuated today due to flash flooding. This is a huge effort requiring the utmost care. Incredibly, the facility staff was able to remove, triage and relocate every resident in only 8 hours," the statement read. "This demonstrates the true heroism of the facility staff to manage this endeavor with speed, precision and safety. Working in collaboration with DHS and ADH, all residents have been placed in other facilities and the facility leadership is currently evaluating the extent of the flood damage. Future plans will be announced once this assessment has been completed."
"We want to recognize all of the incredible folks who helped in this endeavor, including other area nursing facilities and their staff, the Marion County Fire and Rescue, the Summit Fire Department, the Yellville Fire Department, Yellville and Summit schools and many members of the community," the statement continued.
![Yellville, Arkansas, experienced a Flash Flood Emergency on Wednesday as rain drenched the state. The town's sheriff reported that at the height of the flooding, there was about 4 feet of water around a nursing home. Over 86 people were evacuated from the nursing home as the floodwaters crept into the building.]()
Image 1 of 5Yellville, Arkansas, experienced a Flash Flood Emergency on Wednesday as rain drenched the state. The town's sheriff reported that at the height of the flooding, there was about 4 feet of water around a nursing home. Over 86 people were evacuated from the nursing home as the floodwaters crept into the building. (Robert Ray)
![Yellville, Arkansas, experienced a Flash Flood Emergency on Wednesday as rain drenched the state. The town's sheriff reported that at the height of the flooding, there was about 4 feet of water around a nursing home. Over 86 people were evacuated from the nursing home as the floodwaters crept into the building.]()
Image 2 of 5Yellville, Arkansas, experienced a Flash Flood Emergency on Wednesday as rain drenched the state. The town's sheriff reported that at the height of the flooding, there was about 4 feet of water around a nursing home. Over 86 people were evacuated from the nursing home as the floodwaters crept into the building. (Robert Ray)
![Yellville, Arkansas, experienced a Flash Flood Emergency on Wednesday as rain drenched the state. The town's sheriff reported that at the height of the flooding, there was about 4 feet of water around a nursing home. Over 86 people were evacuated from the nursing home as the floodwaters crept into the building.]()
Image 3 of 5Yellville, Arkansas, experienced a Flash Flood Emergency on Wednesday as rain drenched the state. The town's sheriff reported that at the height of the flooding, there was about 4 feet of water around a nursing home. Over 86 people were evacuated from the nursing home as the floodwaters crept into the building. (Robert Ray)
![Yellville, Arkansas, experienced a Flash Flood Emergency on Wednesday as rain drenched the state. The town's sheriff reported that at the height of the flooding, there was about 4 feet of water around a nursing home. Over 86 people were evacuated from the nursing home as the floodwaters crept into the building.]()
Image 4 of 5Yellville, Arkansas, experienced a Flash Flood Emergency on Wednesday as rain drenched the state. The town's sheriff reported that at the height of the flooding, there was about 4 feet of water around a nursing home. Over 86 people were evacuated from the nursing home as the floodwaters crept into the building. (Robert Ray)
![Yellville, Arkansas, experienced a Flash Flood Emergency on Wednesday as rain drenched the state. The town's sheriff reported that at the height of the flooding, there was about 4 feet of water around a nursing home. Over 86 people were evacuated from the nursing home as the floodwaters crept into the building.]()
Image 5 of 5Yellville, Arkansas, experienced a Flash Flood Emergency on Wednesday as rain drenched the state. The town's sheriff reported that at the height of the flooding, there was about 4 feet of water around a nursing home. Over 86 people were evacuated from the nursing home as the floodwaters crept into the building. (Robert Ray)
Alexander said that water was in the building and there was about 4 feet of standing water around the nursing home when flooding hit its highest.
"The whole town of Yellville is flooded," said Adam Stewart in a video shared with FOX Weather. "Pretty bad out here right now."
Floodwaters rage in Yellville, Arkansas amid Flash Flood Emergency
Video was taken about 5 a.m. Wednesday in Yellville, Arkansas as water levels continue to rise inside homes amid a Flash Flood Emergency issued in central Marion County.
The area that was placed under a Flash Flood Emergency was hit by two tornadoes back on May 26, the FOX Forecast Center notes.
(FOX Weather)
Due to the flooding, Marion County offices were closed Wednesday, and all court activities were canceled.
The region is expected to remain rain-free for the next few days before chances for precipitation increase during the second half of the weekend.