Public storm shelters in Jonesboro and Craighead County
KAIT reported in March 2026 that Craighead County has 28 public storm shelters, run by school districts, cities and the county. The county's shelter at the Courthouse Annex opens whenever the county is under a tornado watch. County emergency management director Anthony Coy told KAIT that waiting for a tornado warning to head to one is "way too late" (KAIT, March 10, 2026).
The list below is the one KAIT published as open for the storms of March 15, 2026. Not every shelter opens for every storm, and sites change, so check local news or the city before you leave.
Jonesboro
| Shelter | Address | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Craighead County Courthouse Annex | 511 Union St. (Madison Street entrance) | 600 |
| Fox Meadow Elementary (Nettleton) | 2305 Fox Meadow Lane | 1,600 |
| Nettleton STEAM | 2305 Vera | 995 |
| University Heights Elementary (Nettleton) | 300 Bowling Ln. | 470 |
| Douglas MacArthur Jr. High (Jonesboro schools) | 1615 Wilkins Ave. | Not listed |
| Valley View Intermediate | 2115 Valley View Dr. | Not listed |
| Westside Elementary | 1834 Hwy 91 West | Not listed |
| Westside Middle School | 1800 Hwy 91 West | Not listed |
| Westside High School | 1630 Hwy 91 West | Not listed |
Jonesboro Right Now adds that the Annex doesn't allow pets. A-State students can use the Reng Student Union, which opens during a watch, allows pets and won't turn the public away (Jonesboro Right Now, March 15, 2026).
Bay, Black Oak, Bono and Brookland
| Town | Shelter and address | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Bay | Bay School District, 700 School St. | 700 |
| Bay | City shelter #1, 319 Elder St. | 60 |
| Bay | City shelter #2, 105 Ballpark Rd. | 60 |
| Black Oak | Black Oak City Park | 30 |
| Bono | Safe room #1, 218 School St. | 30 |
| Bono | Safe room #2, 241 East College | 30 |
| Brookland | City safe room, 407 Holman | 225 |
Jonesboro Right Now lists three safe rooms in Bono, including one between City Hall and the Community Building on Woodland Trails and one by the senior center (Jonesboro Right Now, March 15, 2026).
Caraway, Lake City and Monette
| Town | Shelter and address | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Caraway | City shelter, corner of Waco and Kentucky | 30 |
| Caraway | Riverside East Elementary, 502 West State St. | 60 |
| Lake City | 126 Stone St. | 40 |
| Lake City | Wayne "Biscuits" Ball Park | 40 |
| Lake City | 602 Catfish Dr. | Not listed |
| Lake City | 2001 Hwy 18, across from Riverside Elementary | Not listed |
| Lake City | Riverside West High School, 2007 Hwy 18 | Not listed |
| Lake City | Craighead County Eastern District Courthouse, 107 Cobean Blvd. | Not listed |
| Monette | Fire station shelter, 112 N. Edmonds | 100 |
| Monette | City park shelter, 608 Virginia Ave. | 30 |
| Monette | Senior center shelter, 504 South Williams | 30 |
| Monette | Masonic lodge shelter, 309 North Edmonds | 30 |
Addresses and capacities from the KAIT shelter list, updated March 15, 2026. Jonesboro Right Now gives the Lake City Catfish Drive shelter as 600 Catfish Drive. Just over the county line, Paragould's Greater Vision Church at 529 East Court St. was also open, with no pets allowed.
If you live in a mobile home
Jonesboro Right Now's advice is to go to a sturdier building before the storm arrives. It also suggests a NOAA Weather Radio, which broadcasts in the area on 162.55 MHz (Jonesboro Right Now, March 15, 2026).
A shelter at home
A public shelter means leaving the house during a watch, sometimes at night and with kids or pets. A shelter at home is a few steps away. The price guide covers what each type costs, and the installation guide covers the city permit and the 811 call. Arkansas doesn't currently have a homeowner rebate; the grants page explains why.
Quick answers
Where is the public storm shelter in Jonesboro?
The county's shelter is in the Craighead County Courthouse Annex at 511 Union Street, with the entrance on Madison Street. KAIT lists its capacity at 600. School shelters at Fox Meadow Elementary, University Heights Elementary, Nettleton STEAM, MacArthur Junior High, Valley View Intermediate and the Westside campuses on Highway 91 West have also been listed as open during storms.
When do storm shelters open in Craighead County?
KAIT reports that the Courthouse Annex opens whenever the county is under a tornado watch. School and city shelters set their own rules, so check local news when storms are coming.
Can I bring my pet to a public storm shelter?
Not to the Courthouse Annex, which Jonesboro Right Now lists as no pets. It reports that the Reng Student Union at A-State, which opens during a watch for students, is pet friendly and won't turn the public away.
We don't run any of these shelters. Confirm with the city, school district or county before you count on one being open.
Sources: KAIT, March 10, 2026; KAIT shelter list, updated March 15, 2026; Jonesboro Right Now, March 15, 2026.
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