Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — April 2, 2025 — As forecasters continue to warn Mid-South residents of potential severe weather, city and county workers are preparing.
According to the National Weather Service, much of Northeast Arkansas is at an extreme risk area for intense thunderstorms and tornadoes, with storms forecasted to begin developing mid-afternoon on Wednesday. In addition, forecasters are also predicting several rounds of heavy rain between Wednesday and Sunday, which could produce flooding with totals reaching as much as 12 inches in some areas.
Craighead County Judge Marvin Day said Wednesday morning that he was already planning for the county to open the Craighead County Courthouse Annex Saferoom, located at 511 Union St., when a tornado watch is activated.
More information: Public storm shelters across Craighead County – Jonesboro Right Now
While it could take a few minutes for staff to prepare the saferoom, Day said it depends on the time of day that the watch starts.
“Obviously, if it’s during the normal workday, we’re already there, but when it’s evening time or something, it takes a little longer for the guys to get down there,” he said. “We have one way in and out, that way we can check everybody in and keep track of who we got and all that kind of good stuff. We want everybody to be safe.”
The NWS issued a tornado watch for Craighead County at 2:50 p.m., so the annex is open. If needing to use the annex shelter, enter through the westside doors at the Madison Street entrance.
Day added that county road crews have been preparing sandbags for potential flooding.
“We have certain roads that we know to be prepared for because they will flood and so we’re getting prepared for that,” Day said. “That’s really been the biggest things getting prepared for the storm.”
Jonesboro Street Department Director Steve Tippitt said the City was also getting prepared for the upcoming storms.
“Right now, we’re getting equipment brought in that we have out on the jobs and getting it preset for if something does happen, so we will be able to go out and take care of whatever we need to take care of,” Tippitt said. “For the flooding, we’re trying to get all of the pipes and drains opened up and making sure we have no blockages.”
Tippitt said residents to pay close attention to the weather.
“If you come to something is flooded, turn around and find an alternate route. Don’t try to go through it,” Tippitt said. “Everybody should pay attention to this weather. They’re talking like it could get pretty bad on us and we’re trying to do everything we can to be prepared for it.”