© Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson
This aerial image shows the severe flooding that has overwhelmed parts of Pocahontas, Arkansas.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has deployed additional resources to combat the extreme flooding in northern parts of the state as many communities remain underwater.
A dangerous flooding situation in northeastern Arkansas worsened on Wednesday morning when a levee failed along the Black River near the town of Pocahontas.
Following the breach, the National Weather Service office in Memphis, Tennessee, immediately issued a flash flooding emergency and urged residents to seek higher ground immediately due to life-threatening flooding.
Water rescues were occurring just south of Pocahontas in the community of Shannon, according to the NWS.
Evacuation orders were issued on Monday for eastern Pocahontas, which included 150 homes, dozens of businesses and an assisted living facility, according to the
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Water had begun to spill over the top of the levee on Tuesday, and officials warned of an imminent levee breach.
At least 50 homes have either been destroyed or have sustained major damage due to the flooding, the
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
Gauge data shows the river crested at a record level of 28.95 feet at 8:30 p.m. local time Tuesday, but it is forecast to remain above the major flood stage of 25 feet through early Saturday morning.
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