Jonesboro, Arkansas – Power crews and emergency responders spent Saturday working across northeast Arkansas after severe storms swept through the region, leaving damaged buildings, fallen trees and widespread power outages in multiple counties. Authorities continued assessing the impact throughout the day while urging residents to avoid hazardous areas as cleanup operations began.
Among the communities hit hardest was the town of Black Rock in Lawrence County, where strong winds caused significant structural damage and scattered debris across several neighborhoods. Local officials said the storm affected both public buildings and private property, creating dangerous conditions in parts of the town.
Black Rock Police Chief Bryan Archer said City Hall sustained damage, along with nearby buildings. A home on Beech Street also suffered major damage after its roof was ripped away during the storm. Officials additionally received numerous reports of fallen trees stretching from Highway 361 to 1st Street, blocking roads and complicating travel.
Despite the extensive destruction, authorities said no injuries had been reported. Residents were asked to stay away from damaged areas while emergency personnel and utility crews inspected structures and worked to identify potential safety hazards.
The severe weather also caused problems in neighboring Jackson County, where emergency officials responded to multiple reports of storm damage. Fallen trees were reported in several locations, while damaged utility infrastructure left many residents without electricity.
According to the Jackson County Office of Emergency Management, three power lines snapped along Highway 145 North, causing an outage in the area. Officials also reported that lightning struck a transformer in Swifton, briefly interrupting electrical service. In another weather-related incident, lightning hit a gas line along Jackson 145. Authorities confirmed there was no fire following the strike.
Conditions were similarly difficult in Woodruff County, where the Sheriff’s Office identified several roads with heavy storm damage. In a Facebook update, the agency said Highway 260 between Grays and Horseshoe Lake, the McCrory area and Highway 145 South experienced some of the most serious impacts from the storm.
Officials reported that McCrory had numerous trees and power lines down, creating obstacles for motorists and slowing recovery efforts. Highway 145 South was also covered with storm debris and other hazards, prompting authorities to warn drivers to use caution or avoid the area until cleanup could be completed.
The storms also left hundreds of homes and businesses without electricity across the region. Utility companies worked throughout the day to restore service as quickly as possible.
According to Entergy Arkansas, more than 300 customers in Lawrence County lost power during the storm, while Mississippi County recorded more than 500 outages. Additional outages were reported in Stone and Sharp counties.
Craighead Electric Cooperative also experienced service interruptions, reporting that approximately 200 customers were without electricity as crews responded to damaged lines and equipment.
Emergency officials continue evaluating the full extent of the storm’s impact, while utility workers and local agencies remain focused on restoring power, clearing debris and helping affected communities recover from Saturday’s severe weather.
