Debris from the tornados in Vilonia on Sunday night was discovered Monday in Lawrence County, the Lawrence County Dispatch was notified of possible debris connection with the storms in the Saffell area. Sheriff Jody Dotson along with representatives from the Office of Emergency Services traveled to Lawrence 352 and recovered a photo from the Vilonia FFA and a greeting card were recovered. Other items were reported in the Strawberry area including a page from a photo album and several individual photos.
County Judge Dale Freeman and equipment from the Lawrence County Road Department were out at daylight attempting to repair damage to the county roads. Although the county was spared by the tornados, the Flash Floods throughout the county damaged several roads including several that had to be closed until waters recessed. On Sunday night Hwy 25 was closed by the Lynn Fire Department due to flooding, Hwy 115 at the 117 intersection was closed by the Strawberry Fire Department and remained closed on Monday, Lawrence 107 at the New Spring River Bridge in Ravenden was water covered and impassable through Monday as well as several other county roads.
Shelters were opened across Lawrence County including the Sloan Hendrix Fine Arts Building, Hoxie School and several volunteer fire stations across the county as the storms moved through the area. As the storms approached, the Lawrence County Dispatch Center worked with fire departments, Police and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department keeping emergency workers updated storm information as it became available. The Lawrence County Office of Emergency Management was out during the storms as well working to update the dispatch center and the public on road closings and high water. Several traffic accidents occurred during the storm including one in Black Rock where a vehicle left the road and submerged in a flooded ditch. Walnut Ridge Police and Fire were busy checking for damage and blocking off flooded roadways in the city. The Hoxie Fire Department was also busy guiding residents to a shelter as well as dealing with flooded areas in the city of Hoxie.
Judge Freeman stated that although road graders are out repairing the roads damaged from the floods, some roads may take a while before they are completely repaired. Judge Freeman was out during the storms Sunday night surveying damage and flooding along with several Sheriff’s Deputies.
Flood waters were receding by Monday afternoon, river levels were also starting to fall, no reports of injuries were reported in Lawrence County due to the storms Sunday night.
