The National Weather Service believes at least two EF-3 tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, caused by a super cell swept through northwest Arkansas early Sunday morning on May 26. These storms caused at least eight deaths, many injuries, and incredible damage to the area. While the cities and areas of Decatur, Bentonville, and Rogers took the brunt of the damage, Carroll County was hit, as well. Downtown Decatur and Rogers were on the front page of Sunday’s The New York Times. A second short but powerful storm blew through on Sunday afternoon and worsened the situation.
Cory Smith of Carroll Electric Cooperative Corporation reported that 26,000 accounts were without power as of Monday, May 27 at 4 p.m. The company has sent out more than 600 workers to assess and repair damages, with 120 outside contract crews brought in. At least 650 electric poles were broken which is making restoration a slow process. Several sub-stations were also damaged.
Smith said the work will be on-going for multiple days, and, for some customers, may carry over into next week. He urged customers to report outages and not assume that the company is aware that power is out in your area. He also said that if you see a downed power line to stay away from it but report it as soon as possible.
“Part of what is slowing the process is the fact that several of the crews are helping county and city crews clear debris and trees in order to open up roads and allow service crews through,” Smith said. He asked that people limit driving around and be aware of crews working in the area as it will affect traffic.
SWEPCO’s website is reporting 3,429 customers without power. Water, Internet, and other utilities have been impacted, and several gas lines were damaged, including near the Eureka Springs Carnegie Public Library.
People who were out camping for the holiday weekend or staying on houseboats at various areas of Beaver Lake experienced the storm from a vulnerable position. Most of the campgrounds are currently closed, and at least one set of docks broke free and was pushed to the other side of the lake.
As of Monday, most businesses on US 62 were open and had power and people went to Harts and the Berryville Walmart for ice and essentials, although in downtown Eureka Springs half of the businesses were still without power.
The Berryville Walmart parking lot was used as a staging ground for utility vehicles and crews. Some people, such as the Eureka Springs Methodist Church offered free showers and laundry services to those in need, and McGarity’s Restaurant offered free meals up to $25 to line workers for the rest of May.
Throughout the Eureka Springs area homes and properties were damaged from fallen and uprooted, trees and other debris that blocked roads.
There were reports of people trapped on their properties with no way out until crews can clear the trees, including ESI’s Having Reel Fun columnist Lisa Mullins.