At 7:45 pm Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott stated that only minor injuries had been reported and no deaths in Saturday’s tornado. Shortly before 5pm the city of Jonesboro took a direct hit from a major tornado. The storm damage stretched from Caraway and Race Street to the intersection of Highland and Red Wolf Blvd then on toward the Jonesboro Airport. Large building such as Gateway Tire on Caraway, The Mall At Turtle Creek and the Jonesboro Airport were destroyed in it’s path.
Crews from Hardy, Lawrence County and Pocahontas joined numerous responders that converged on the area. Utilities were damaged along with residential damage are reported.
Jonesboro authorities put a 7pm curfew in effect as a command center was set up at the Mall at Turtle Creek parking lot. Shelters have been set up in numerous locations and rescue workers will continue to search areas for possible injuries.
IF you are in Jonesboro and in need of shelter go to Journey Church at 1701 Disciple Drive. (Behind ACE Hardware, across from NEA Hospital).
Also University Heights, Fox Meadow School, and Nettleton STEAM School are shelters. There isn’t no curfew for those seeking shelter. Call- 879-897-2664 if you are a tornado victim seeking shelter.
