Crittenden County weathers storm, generational flooding

FEMA activated for several counties in Northeast Arkansas

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

Across the nation, at least 23 people have died as a result of deadly tornadoes, straight-line winds and _ooding that occurred over the past two weeks.

Some of those include a 5-year-old boy was killed when a tree fell on his family’s house and a man drowned inside a submerged vehicle in Arkansas. Tennessee saw 10 deaths, including a lineman who was working during the storm. A 9-yearold boy in Kentucky was swept away by _oodwaters on his way to catch the school bus. A 16-year-old Missouri volunteer reghter died in a crash while on his way to rescue storm victims. As far away as Georgia, a father and son sitting in a golf cart were killed by a falling tree while at a golf course.

The National Weather Service reported that 157 tornadoes touched down across the region in just one week. Though skies have begun to clear, the ground tells a

See STORM, page A2 City officials and first responders urged citizens to stay at home or else they might add to the overwhelming list of people needing rescuing.

Photos by City of West Memphis

Some areas of West Memphis were submerged in chest high waters.

Community Outreach Director Theresa Bowe and Police Chief Robbin Campbell take on new roles as pizza delivery as they bring much need hot food to the evacuees at the Roberta Jackson Community Center.

Different people found different ways to weather the storm. Including some who used it as a chance to catch a little dinner.

Photo Via Facebook STORM

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different story. In Jonesboro, 5 inches of rain fell Saturday,, soaking the city’s roads and neighborhoods. Memphis recorded 14 inches of rainfall between Wednesday and Sunday. Caught in the middle, Crittenden county received nearly 9 inches of rain.

President Trump approved Arkansas’ Emergency Declaration on Monday, paving the way for direct federal assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has started deploying resources across impacted areas, helping overwhelmed crews still dealing with the storm’s aftermath.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders surveyed the wreckage from the air above Hardy where _oodwaters swamped roads and homes. Hardy has imposed a nightly curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. through April 8 as the Spring River reached nearly 23 feet, spilling past its banks and into neighborhoods.

Across the region, at least two dozen homes in Monette and Lake City suffered signicant damage. Seven people in those towns are recovering after being treated for injuries.

In West Memphis, emergency crews evacuated more than 100 residents as _oodwaters threatened homes and businesses. The area had already been under a State of Emergency before the weekend storms hit.

A tornado tore into Fitzgerald Crossing in Wynne, marking the city’s second major strike in just over two years. The storm ripped through Helena Chemical and leveled a nearby shop before grinding northeast toward Martin Drive Extended and Arkansas Highway 284, leaving a wake of splintered homes and stunned residents.

Preliminary reports suggest that Crittenden County was spared the brunt of the wind damage with the majority of damage caused by _oodwaters. However, witnesses report sighting a tornado only four miles outside of West Memphis at Lehi where a day later a sheriff’s deputy had to be rescued after the roof of a gas station collapsed onto his vehicle. The deputy was reportedly unharmed.

Residents with _ood damage to residential or commercial property are asked to email WMOEM@west memphis.gov with their name,, address, phone number and photos of the damaged property if possible. Those unable to email should call 870-702-5159 and leave a voicemail with their name, address and phone number.

For displaced residents needing immediate assistance a Red Cross Shelter has been set up at the Roberta Jackson Community Center.

Even in areas spared the brunt of tornado activity, _ooding remains a serious concern. Emergency ofcials are urging residents not to let their guard down.

A sheriff’s deputy was trapped in his vehicle after the roof of a gas station collapsed in Lehi.

Photo by Emily Sandidge