The amount of rainfall this month has resulted in another kind of March Madness.
Since March 1, Texarkana has had 5.98 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. The average amount for this time in March is 1.55 inches, so Texarkana is 4.3 inches above normal, according to NWS.
A flash-flood watch remains in effect for Texarkana and much of the area through 7 a.m. today.
A warning means the weather event is occurring, whereas a watch means conditions are favorable for the event to occur.
An 80 percent chance of rain is expected today, mainly before 8 a.m. Rain will taper off later in the day. The high temperature should be about 67 degrees. Texarkana received .049 inches of rain Thursday, according to the NWS, with higher amounts in some areas.
March is normally a wet month, but "it's been a while" since the area had this much rain, said C.S. Ross, hydrologist with the NWS in Shreveport, La.
Flash flooding of low-lying areas and small streams can be expected to continue or increase because the ground is already saturated.
The flash-flood areas for the watch include Miller, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Nevada and Sevier counties in Southwest Arkansas; Bowie, Cass, Morris and Red River counties in Northeast Texas; and McCurtain County in Southeast Oklahoma.
The National Weather Service promotes a "Turn Around. Don't Drown." program for motorists.
The most important thing for drivers to remember is to slow down.
The following tips from AAA are also encouraged for safe driving in the rain:
• Stay toward middle lanes. Water tends to pool in outside lanes.
• Drive in the tracks of a vehicle ahead of you.
• Avoid following large trucks or other vehicles too closely. The spray created by large tires can reduce vision.
• Avoid using your brakes. If possible, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.
• Turn your headlights on in a light rain or any overcast condition.
• Never drive through moving water if you can't see the ground through it. Your vehicle could be swept off the road.
• Avoid driving through deep water, because it can cause serious damage to a vehicle's electrical system.
• Watch out for places where floodwater collects, especially low-lying roads ajacent to streams and dips under bridges.
Hydroplaning happens when the water in front of tires builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push out of the way. The water pressure causes the vehicle to rise up and slide in a thin layer of water beween the tires and the road.
At this point, the vehicle can be completely out of contact with the road and in danger of skidding or drifting out of the lane.
If you find yourself hydroplaning or skidding:
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
• Ease your foot off the gas until the vehicle slows and you can feel traction on the road again.
• Turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid. As you recover control, gently straighten the wheels.