<–tornado damage near Mena, AR. on April 9, 2009.  They’ve needed an ark in Arkansas.  It’s been by far their wettest year in history, with four separate months finishing among the top three wettest ever (wettest May ever, 3rd wettest July, 2nd wettest Sept. and wettest Oct.).  It began back in January, when a massive ice storm left up to 2” of freezing rain.  The storm knocked out power to 350,000 customers.  A total of 30,000 utility poles were snapped by the weight of the ice.  On Feb. 11, damaging winds tore roofs off homes, caused three injuries and more flooding.  On Feb. 28th, up to a foot of snow fell in NE Arkansas.  Hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed by seven tornadoes on April 9^th.  Up to 15” of rain fell in May.  There were three flood fatalities.  A derecho blasted the state on June 12th, with 80 mph winds and very heavy rain.  Little Rock had 11.65” of rain in July.  On August 5th, severe t-storms produced winds up to 80 mph with significant damage. Thunderstorms produced up to 10” of rain from Sept. 15-19.  There were two major flood events in October, producing over a foot of rain and two more flood fatalities.  Fifteen tornadoes hit the state on Oct. 29th (more than half the average number of tornadoes in the state in an entire year).  There was significant damage around Texarkana, where they have already had 68″ of rain this year.