On the night of May 19, 1990 and into the morning hours of May 20th, 1990 a devastating flash flood hit Hot Springs.
Severe flooding caused by the excessive rainfall damaged numerous bridges and homes throughout the region and resulted in the loss of one life. Floodwaters 2 to 4 feet deep flowed through the historic downtown area of Hot Springs, causing extensive damage to private and public property.
Severe flooding caused by the excessive rainfall damaged numerous bridges and homes throughout the region and resulted in the loss of one life. Floodwaters 2 to 4 feet deep flowed through the historic downtown area of Hot Springs, causing extensive damage to private and public property.
A slow-moving frontal boundary brought increasing south winds and gulf moisture into the region. Upper level wind flow was from the southwest, bringing abundant Pacific moisture into the region. Several upper level systems moved through and interacted with the front, and the resulting interaction produced historic and destructive flash flooding, with Hot Springs the hardest hit.
There were two waves of flood waters the night of May 19th-20th, both four to six-feet high, which came down Central Avenue. This was the result of extremely heavy rainfall in a short period of time. The first wave of water hit between 10 and 11 PM CDT, and the second one hit between 1 and 2 AM CDT. Both times, the flood waters came down Central Avenue and flooded stores and the bathhouses along Bathhouse Row. Cars floated down Central Avenue. 85 people had to be rescued from flooded cars or buildings.
Eventually, the water flowed into Lake Hamilton, causing the lake level to rise rapidly. As the gates to Carpenter Dam were opened to release the water, the water rose rather dramatically below the dam. The rapid rise flooded homes along Lake Catherine. The 30-foot rise in water washed away cabins and mobile homes along the lake, and many of them floated over the top of Remmel Dam. There were also several bridges knocked out by the flood water.
There were two waves of flood waters the night of May 19th-20th, both four to six-feet high, which came down Central Avenue. This was the result of extremely heavy rainfall in a short period of time. The first wave of water hit between 10 and 11 PM CDT, and the second one hit between 1 and 2 AM CDT. Both times, the flood waters came down Central Avenue and flooded stores and the bathhouses along Bathhouse Row. Cars floated down Central Avenue. 85 people had to be rescued from flooded cars or buildings.
Eventually, the water flowed into Lake Hamilton, causing the lake level to rise rapidly. As the gates to Carpenter Dam were opened to release the water, the water rose rather dramatically below the dam. The rapid rise flooded homes along Lake Catherine. The 30-foot rise in water washed away cabins and mobile homes along the lake, and many of them floated over the top of Remmel Dam. There were also several bridges knocked out by the flood water.
24-hour rainfall totals ending around 7 AM on the morning of the 20th in the Hot Springs area were 12.97 inches at Hot Springs National Park, 11.52 inches at Hot Springs Airport, 10.50 inches at Hot Springs Water Plant, and 9.54 inches at Carpenter Dam. At the airport, 2.50 inches of rain fell between 7 and 9 PM, 2.10 inches fell between 9 and 10 PM, and 6.92 inches fell between 10 PM and 7 AM. To this day, the 12.97 inches at Hot Springs National Park remains the highest daily rainfall total on record for the month of May in Arkansas.
Video Credit: KATV
Image Credit: NWS- Little Rock
