Craighead County, AR — (Contributed) — April 3, 2025 — Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation (CECC) personnel have been working overnight and throughout the day to restore power following a devastating tornado that swept through the region.

At the peak of the storm, 2,176 meters were affected by outages across 33 locations. Currently, the cooperative has 614 meters remaining without power.

Field assessments have revealed significant damage, including broken transmission and distribution structures, as well as numerous spans of downed wire. Currently, over 182 poles require replacement, with 55 located in off-road areas requiring specialized equipment. Additionally, 6 transmission structures sustained damage.

To expedite restoration efforts, CECC has mobilized five of its own crews, along with support from five additional crews from Arkansas Electric Cooperative and SEC, and two crews from City Water & Light (CWL) of Jonesboro.

“We appreciate the patience and support of our members as crews work as quickly and safely as possible to restore service,” said Justin Etter, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “The teamwork and dedication of our crews and partnering organizations are crucial in times like these.”

Current Restoration Efforts and Damage Assessment by Location:

  • Lake City: Approximately 95 broken poles, affecting 400 meters without power.
  • Monette: Approximately 50 broken poles, affecting 270 meters without power.
  • Cash: 12 broken poles, with 180 meters without power.
  • Trumann: 15 broken poles, with 45 meters without power.
  • Northwest Jonesboro: Five broken poles, with 70 meters without power.
  • Earle: Five broken poles, with 17 meters without power.
  • Brookland to Lake City: Six CECC transmission structures are broken.

CECC is making significant progress, with multiple teams working around the clock to repair damaged infrastructure and restore service as quickly as possible. However, due to the extent of the damage, some areas may experience extended outages. We strongly encourage members in affected locations to make necessary preparations for prolonged power disruptions.

CECC will continue to provide updates as restoration efforts progress. Members are encouraged to follow Craighead Electric Cooperative on social media for the latest information.