Destruction in Rogers, Arkansas
Severe storms that ravaged through Benton County, Arkansas in late May left a trail of destruction in the city of Rogers. The storms, which included suspected tornadoes, caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, leading to a state of emergency being declared in the region.
One of the most significant impacts was on the local schools. Three schools in particular—Lingle Middle School, Northside Elementary, and Westside Elementary—sustained significant roof and HVAC damage. The damage was so severe at Lingle Middle School that classes will not be held there for the entire 2024-25 school year.
The cleanup efforts have been extensive, with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders conducting a damage assessment alongside local officials. A total of eight fatalities were reported in Arkansas due to the storms, including three in Benton County. Among the fatalities, one occurred due to power failure that caused a woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to lose access to her oxygen supply. Other deaths included a person suffering a heart attack and a resident of a mobile home crushed by a fallen tree.
The storms also led to widespread power outages, affecting over 40,000 customers in Benton County. In response, Sanders signed an executive order authorizing the use of 0,000 from the Governor’s Disaster Response and Recovery Fund to support the relief efforts. Several schools have canceled or adjusted their schedules, with Rogers Public Schools ending their academic year early due to the extensive debris surrounding many buildings.
In addition to the immediate destruction, the Bentonville Film Festival proceeded as scheduled, hosting notable guests such as Ryan Kaji, YouTube’s highest-paid star, and Geena Davis. Meanwhile, infrastructure plans continue to move forward, including transforming parts of U.S. 412 into an interstate highway.
The enduring impact of these storms on the community is imminent, as Rogers and Bentonville work towards normalization and recovery.
