DARDANELLE, Ark. (AP) -- President Donald Trump has declared an emergency in Arkansas, which has been hit by historic flooding.
9:15 a.m.
The White House said late Thursday night that Trump approved the emergency disaster declaration requested by the state, where hundreds of homes and thousands of acres of farmland have been affected by flooding along the Arkansas River. Trump's declaration allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance for emergency protective measures in Arkansas, Chicot, Conway, Crawford, Desha, Faulkner, Franklin, Jefferson, Johnson, Lincoln, Logan, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Sebastian, and Yell counties.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson earlier this week had requested the emergency declaration in response to the flooding.
6:10 a.m.
Officials say a levee along the Arkansas River has breached, prompting a flash flood warning and evacuation of a rural area in western Arkansas.
The levee breached early Friday at Dardanelle, about 60 miles (95 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock. Yell County officials had anticipated the breach and urged residents in the nearby Holla Bend area to evacuate Thursday.
Emergency management officials say crews are going door-to-door to recommend evacuation for about 160 homes.
National Weather Service data showed a dip in the water level at Dardanelle, likely due to the breach. A flash flood warning was issued early Friday for the area, and forecasters said residents should be prepared for rapidly rising water.
The levee breached because of ongoing flooding along the Arkansas River, which began in Oklahoma.
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