Northeast Arkansas – Jonesboro Right Now – What began Saturday afternoon as a complex of severe thunderstorms quickly became a widespread wind event across Northeast Arkansas, leaving behind a trail of downed trees, damaged power lines, broken utility poles and thousands of residents without electricity.
By Sunday night, the focus had shifted from severe weather to cleanup and restoration as utility crews and emergency responders worked throughout the day to repair damage left by the storm system.
The National Weather Service in Memphis described Saturday’s storm as a severe bow echo that produced widespread, damaging straight-line winds across the Mid-South. The weather service estimates peak winds reached 60 to 80 mph, with more than 120,000 customers losing power across the region.
The storm also produced extensive tree damage, downed power lines and road closures, with the National Weather Service warning that recovery would take multiple days.
In Northeast Arkansas, the storm moved quickly across the region Saturday afternoon. Severe thunderstorm warnings issued by the National Weather Service included Craighead, Greene, Poinsett, Mississippi, Cross and Crittenden counties as the developing line moved southeast. Warnings called for wind gusts of at least 60 mph, with the potential for damage to trees, roofs and siding.
The Storm Prediction Center had specifically identified Northeast Arkansas as an area where thunderstorms were expected to organize into a more cohesive line, with the potential for 60-to-80-mph winds as the system moved toward the Mid-South.
Craighead Electric nearing the end of major restoration
Craighead Electric Cooperative reported significant progress Sunday evening.
The cooperative said it was down to three outages affecting approximately 45 meters across its system, with crews working to restore as many residential customers as possible before dark.
The most difficult remaining work was concentrated around Greer Road in Earle, where five broken utility poles must be replaced.
That work has been complicated by fallen timber and difficult terrain. Craighead Electric said crews must clear the timber before off-road equipment can be brought in to set new poles and restore the lines.
Even after every member has power restored, however, the cooperative said the work will continue.
More than 20 broken poles remain scattered throughout the system and will need to be repaired or replaced during the coming week.
The progress represents a dramatic improvement from Saturday night.
At approximately 10:50 p.m. Saturday, Craighead Electric reported more than 30 broken poles across Lawrence, Greene, Craighead, Poinsett and Crittenden counties.
At that point, more than 2,000 meters were without power. The number had already been reduced to 847 by late Saturday night as crews worked through the storm damage.
City Water and Light of Jonesboro also sent an additional crew to assist Craighead Electric with restoration efforts.
By Sunday evening, Craighead Electric said the number of affected meters had been reduced to approximately 45.
Power restoration continues across the region
Entergy and Jonesboro City Water and Light also experienced scattered outages following Saturday’s storms.
By late Sunday afternoon, however, both utilities had restored those remaining outages in their service areas.
The restoration effort has required crews to work around fallen trees, damaged lines and broken poles throughout the region.
The extent of the damage underscored the unusual strength of Saturday’s storm. While the system moved through Northeast Arkansas relatively quickly, its straight-line winds produced damage over a broad area rather than being concentrated in a narrow path.
For many residents, Sunday became a day of chainsaws, debris removal and cleanup — and for utility crews, a long day of replacing poles and restringing power lines.
Craighead Electric thanked its crews for their work and its members for their patience as restoration efforts continued.
Although most customers have now had their power restored, the cooperative cautioned that the physical cleanup and repair of the system is not finished.
With dozens of damaged poles still requiring attention, utility crews are expected to remain busy across Northeast Arkansas during the coming week.
The National Weather Service is also urging residents to use caution around storm debris, particularly downed power lines and damaged trees, as the region continues the cleanup from Saturday’s powerful storm.