Flash Flood Washout Halts Traffic on Railroad Line
in Northeast Arkansas

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Engineer Ron Vest discusses washout with Little Rock Warning Coordination Meteorologist John Robinson (Photo: MIC Renee Fair, WFO Little Rock)

(Oct. 3, 2006) - An early morning flash flood caused a track washout on a Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad line in northeast Arkansas on September 23. The washout occurred where Martin's Creek flows under the tracks about a mile northeast of the town of Williford. Since there are no roads in the immediate area, most local residents were unaware of the event.

To help pinpoint the exact location, Little Rock Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Warning Coordination Meteorologist John Robinson caught up with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Engineer Ron Vest at Imboden, a few miles east of the washout. The tracks were closed for approximately 30 hours while repairs were made.

The washout was the result of a deadly storm system that swept through Izard and Sharp Counties producing tornadoes and severe flooding. Flash floods along the Spring River, near Hardy, Ark., forced campers to flee to higher ground and led to a number of swift-water rescues. A 55 year old man died when he was swept away from the campground; and, a 16 year old was killed when his pick up truck was washed into Martin's Creek -- a couple of miles from the railroad washout.

The forecast office in Little Rock did an excellent job of issuing timely tornado and flash flood warnings throughout that Friday night and Saturday morning. A Flash Flood Warning for the area had been in effect for nearly an hour and a half prior to the fatalities.