North Little Rock, Arkansas – A powerful storm system that tore through North Little Rock on Saturday morning left behind a widespread trail of destruction. From uprooted trees to flooded streets and damaged homes, the city is grappling with the aftermath while officials urge residents to stay cautious and alert.
Driving through parts of North Little Rock paints a clear picture of the storm’s impact. Trees were yanked from the ground, roofs suffered significant damage, and multiple roads remain closed due to high water. The scene is chaotic, and emergency responders have been working nonstop since the storms passed.
Battalion Chief Mark Shoemaker of the North Little Rock Fire Department said fire crews have been overwhelmed by the number of emergency calls. “Since 11 a.m. we have made approximately 75 to 80 calls for service,” Shoemaker reported. The calls have ranged from hazardous electrical issues to water rescues and numerous incidents involving fallen trees—some of which crashed directly onto homes and buildings.
One large tree even toppled right in front of Fire Station Seven, highlighting how even emergency services weren’t spared from the storm’s wrath.
Shoemaker explained that the root of the problem lies—quite literally—in the ground. “Understand that the ground is saturated. These trees are coming down now because we went so long without rain, and then we get so much rain at one time over the past 24-48 hours that trees are just coming down on houses.”
City officials are now warning residents to take road closures seriously. Barricades have been placed on flooded streets and dangerous areas, and ignoring them could put drivers and pedestrians at risk. Shoemaker emphasized the need to obey these warnings. “They are there for a reason,” he said.
There are also concerns about hidden dangers like gas leaks. Shoemaker warned that falling trees can sometimes rupture underground gas lines. “A lot of times the gas lines will run near trees that will come up and disrupt some gas lines so we will run on some of those (calls for service),” he explained. “When the power gets turned back on we will also have calls for service because when the power gets on, there are things that will arc, catch fire, and possibly burn things around houses.”
Despite the heavy damage, utility crews have been making quick progress. By around 5 p.m. on Saturday, North Little Rock Electric reported that power had been restored to approximately 4,000 customers within just three hours. Thousands more remain without electricity, but restoration efforts are ongoing.
For now, the city is also reminding drivers that intersections where traffic lights are out should be treated as four-way stops to prevent collisions.
As cleanup and repair efforts continue into the coming days, North Little Rock officials are urging everyone to stay vigilant, avoid flooded or debris-filled areas, and report any hazards to emergency services. The damage may take time to fully address, but city crews and first responders are working around the clock to bring back a sense of normalcy.
