Cave City, Cushman hit hardest as storms leave trail of destruction

Powerful storms and tornadoes tore through parts of several Arkansas counties Friday night, injuring 32, and in the Cushman area of Independence County, killing three people.

Cave City and the Claxton Loop Road area in Cushman sustained significant damage as emergency crews and volunteers swarmed to the affected communities.

On Saturday afternoon, Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffery issued a dusk-to-dawn curfew for Claxton Loop in Cushman, the Sandtown community, and Coon Creek/Coon Creek Annex until further notice. He said the curfew would be enforceable by law.

Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson also declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew for the city. He said Friday that five people were injured there, three of whom were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders visited Cave City on Saturday after declaring a State of Emergency in response to the extensive damage and power outages affecting numerous counties across Arkansas. Unless otherwise terminated, the State of Emergency will remain in effect until Saturday, March 29, 2025. Fifty-two members of the Arkansas National Guard were dispatched to assist with general assistance and site security efforts in Cave City.

A statement released from her office on Saturday read:

Following the Governor’s conversations with Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffery, Independence County Sheriff Shawn Stephens, Greene County Judge Rusty McMillon, Jackson County Judge Jeff Phillips, and Randolph County Judge Ben Wicker, the Governor’s spokesman Sam Dubke released the following statement:

“Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been in close contact with local officials impacted by last night’s tornadoes and has reached out directly to the leadership of affected counties to offer support. Last night, state emergency personnel were on the ground in these communities to offer support and assist with disaster response, and this morning, the Governor declared a State of Emergency and released $250,000 in state funds to further assist recovery efforts. The Governor promised county leaders her close support throughout the recovery process and offered her condolences for the Arkansans who were killed and injured in the storm.”

On Sunday night, Anderson said the Red Cross was stationed at Cave City First Assembly of God, 437 N. Main. Cots and showers were available for storm victims, and on Monday, a community washer and dryer station would be set up at the church.

Also, on Monday, the donation center at Cave City Middle School Gym was scheduled to reopen at 8 a.m. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner would be available at the middle school parking lot.

Anderson said physical donations were on hold, but monetary contributions could be made at the Volunteer Command Center, the middle school parking lot, or the Bank of Cave City.

Volunteers assisting with cleanup efforts were set to meet at 8 a.m. Monday at the Volunteer Command Post, which is also located in the middle school parking lot.

Independence County officials, led by Judge Jeffery, handled relief efforts for those affected on Claxton Loop. Cushman City Hall would continue to serve as a hub for donated items and services for those in need.

In Stone County, the Mountain View Fire Department collected donations for residents affected by damage in the Fifty-Six region.

The National Weather Service said preliminary damage surveys indicated the March 14 storms produced two EF-4 tornadoes—one near Larkin in Izard County and another in Diaz in Jackson County.

On Sunday, the agency said peak winds for the Diaz tornado were estimated at 190 mph, while the Larkin storm produced winds around 170 mph.

According to the weather service, the last time multiple EF-4 tornadoes struck Arkansas on the same day was more than 28 years ago, on March 1, 1997.

Featured image: Members of the Arkansas National Guard on hand during Saturday’s storm clean-up in Sharp County. Image: Arkansas National Guard