A tornado moved through central parts of Jonesboro, Arkansas, March 28 for several miles, causing millions of dollars worth of damage to the city and surrounding areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Jonesboro news website KAIT 8, the EF3 tornado traveled through Jonesboro with maximum wind speeds of 140 mph. On a zero to five scale, an EF3 has winds that range between 136-165 mph and cause severe damage. The tornado stayed on the ground for 10-20 miles, causing 22 injuries, two of which required hospitalization. No fatalities were reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jonesboro police implemented a curfew Tuesday, March 31, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to KAIT 8. With major roads and over 450 homes affected by the storm, police asked residents to stay in their homes or shelters to aid the initial recovery process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Jonesboro got the brunt of the tornado\u2019s power, the storm moved through Northeast Arkansas and caused more damage at the Arkansas-Missouri border. The tornado prompted Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to declare a state disaster upon seeing the aftermath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday I took a flyover of Jonesboro to assess the damage from yesterday\u2019s tornado,\u201d Hutchinson tweeted March 29. \u201cI am grateful that no lives were lost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the losses from the tornado was the Mall at Turtle Creek, according to KAIT 8, with at least $100 million in damage cost alone. Senior Jonesboro resident Lizzie Ramsey said her family owns a rental house near the mall; the family staying there was safe, but the house was damaged badly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome of the houses in the neighborhood are completely fine, while others are flattened and destroyed,\u201d Ramsey said. \u201cI am so thankful that my family is safe \u2014 and our house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sophomore Avery Barnett is also a resident of Jonesboro. She said the tornado did not move toward her house. However, she was concerned about Jonesboro after seeing the effects of the March 2 storm in middle Tennessee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was one of the scariest things I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d Barnett said. \u201cIt made me realize how serious and life-threatening tornadoes actually are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the storm happened during social distancing due to COVID-19, more injuries and fatalities might have occurred if the practice had not been in place. Barnett said COVID-19 helped cut any possible losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHalf our mall was destroyed; restaurants and stores were completely wrecked,\u201d Barnett said. \u201cPeople began to realize how much worse things could\u2019ve been. Since everyone was social distancing, most people were at home \u2026 The coronavirus probably saved lives in Jonesboro.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, Ramsey said social distancing has made it more difficult for the city\u2019s recovery process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is hard for people as they are trying to clean and help out with the town but, at the same time, are supposed to be practicing social distancing,\u201d Ramsey said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recovery for the city may be a long process, but Ramsey said a flood of people volunteered to help those who were affected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeeing the damage this tornado has caused has brought tears to my eyes, but I know our God is stronger,\u201d Ramsey said. \u201cI know this is something our town will recover from, and [we] will grow stronger together.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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