Conway, Faulkner Co. declare state of emergency from July 17 flash flooding

CONWAY, Ark. – Parts of Conway received more rain than they could take Wednesday morning.

Conway Fire Department Chief Mike Winter said all of downtown was blocked off due to high water, adding there were 20 major thoroughfares barricaded and around town. The roads department could not estimate the numerous side roads affected.

The water was a headache for many drivers during rush hour, but it also filled driveways and, in some cases, cars.

The stress level rose as quickly as the water level for Aurora Chaman when the water nearly crossed her doorstep on Martin Street.

“It’s my first time looking at all this, but I’m scared,” Chaman said.

Conway received about six inches of rain in just a few hours, sending water rushing past Lane Roper’s ankles on Oak Street in front of Economy Motors.

“I rolled my pants up. I came out here and I moved all these cars off the front row just so they wouldn’t be flooded,” Roper said.

Nearby the power of the rushing water pushed telephone poles into the road. Winter stated two stranded motorists were rescued in what he believes may be the worst localized flooding the area has seen since 2017.

“Our drainage system has been improved over the years, but it was just too much,” he said.

Winter added that both Conway’s mayor and Faulkner County’s judge have declared a state of emergency.

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