FAYETTEVILLE [KFSM] - Flood waters swamped areas in Washington County, causing some buses to find alternate routes to Fayetteville schools. Officials said school started 15-20 minutes later than usual.
The heavy rains pounded Northwest Arkansas just in time for the morning commute for many people, including bus drivers. Drivers traveling on Thompson Street in Springdale experienced some patchy areas of heavy flood waters. Crews were seen towing vehicles and trying to keep the morning traffic moving.
Fayetteville schools spokesperson Alan Wilbourn said he made faculty aware that buses would be arriving late. He said some veteran drivers chose to avoid certain streets because they knew they were prone to flooding. Wilbourn said all students arrived safely.
"Several of our buses were delayed because if you were out in the traffic you know it was crawling between 7:30 and 8:30 because it was pouring so hard," Wilbourn said.
He said the Client Services building for Fayetteville Schools on Old Farmington Road also flooded this morning. He said maintenance crews knew the area was prone to flooding, and quickly grabbed brooms to try to sweep the water away.