A tornado tore through Jonesboro, Arkansas, leaving loads of property damage and at least six people injured.
The tornado hit Jonesboro, a town of more than 75,000 located northeast of Memphis, Tennessee, around 5:00 p.m. local time on Saturday evening. Several residents caught footage of the storm as it ripped through the center of the city.
?️ CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Watch as a #tornado moved through the #Jonesboro, #Arkansas area moments ago on this @myARDOT traffic camera. #ARwx ?️ pic.twitter.com/CTj6BLDAIT
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) March 28, 2020
@ryanvaughan @ZachHolderWx this was from my friend who lives in Jonesboro pic.twitter.com/iygkLLcvWb
— Madison Wilson (@MadisonBlaire12) March 28, 2020
Unreal up close footage from Said Said in Jonesboro. He owns the Triple S Phones shop and stated the tornado came VERY quick.
Scary footage. I can’t imagine. @ReedTimmerAccu @JimCantore #arwx pic.twitter.com/KFWqpdKbEx
— Zachary Hall (@WxZachary) March 28, 2020
Most businesses were already closed because of the coronavirus outbreak, but the tornado did significant damage to a shopping mall and the Jonesboro Municipal Airport. Jonesboro E-911 Director Jeff Presley called it a blessing that the mall was closed because of the COVID-19 virus.
“At 5 o’clock on a Saturday afternoon that place would’ve been packed, and at this point there was hardly anyone in there,” he explained. “It’s a blessing in disguise.”
In addition to damaging the mall and the airport, the tornado knocked out power to much of the city and derailed a train. A cleanup crew assigned to the train derailment is still investigating whether anything hazardous was being hauled.
Rep. Rick Crawford, a Republican who represents the area, called the tornado “devastating” in a series of tweets. He added, “I hope you will pray for Jonesboro and northeast Arkansas. In the midst of everything, a tornado just went through the heart of town. None of my staff have been hurt and my family are okay. Unsure of others – please pray for first responders now being dispatched.”
The video and pictures are devastating. Reports of some trapped in buildings along the path. Please pray for those assisting and aiding those who have been hurt. Our hospitals are responding too.
— Rep Rick Crawford (@RepRickCrawford) March 28, 2020
He also credited local weather reporters for notifying the town about the storm, likely saving lives. He mentioned several local weathermen and added, “Your entire weather team saved a lot of lives tonight. We all are thankful for you keeping watch as this storm developed.”
.@ryanvaughan, @BryanAMcCormick, and your entire weather team saved a lot of lives tonight. We all are thankful for you keeping watch as this storm developed. #JonesboroStrong
— Rep Rick Crawford (@RepRickCrawford) March 29, 2020
A search and rescue team is still sifting through the damaged property to ensure that no one is trapped in the rubble. The six who were injured all presented minor injuries.
