Bentonville, Ark—Whether it is a flood, tornado, or hazardous materials release, emergencies and disasters can affect Benton County residents at any time.  Benton County Judge Robert D. Clinard signed a proclamation making September National Preparedness Month.  “Recent events such as Hurricane Isaac, this year’s droughts, and the flooding we experienced a year ago remind us of the importance of being prepared”, Judge Clinard commented.

March 2012 will go into the record books as the warmest March on record in Fort Smith. The average temperature for the month was 63.6 degrees was a full one degree warmer than the previous record set in March of 1907.

Rainfall was also above normal for March in both Fort Smith and Fayetteville. Fort Smith received over 8 inches of rain, 4 inches above normal for the month making it the 7th wettest March on record. Fayetteville recorded nearly 5 inches of rain, more than half an inch above the monthly average.