By Alaina Coats
Published April 12, 2025
One of Mayor Jayen Smith's top priorities when running as the nation's youngest mayor was fortifying his cities draining systems. Since his election in 2023, he has been battling flooding throughout the city.
This week proved no different as the Tyronza River flooded onto Highway 64, one of the city's busiest highways. Mayor Smith made a plea to Arkansas Department of Transportation on behalf of his residents to shut the highway down. "In discussions about public safety, AR-DOT appears to be disregarding the dangers posed by Highway 64 and the concerns of Earle residents. The community is only seeking a temporary traffic rerouting to prevent loss of life on this treacherous highway. It is regrettable that this part of the state is consistently provided with inadequate support. As mayor, my focus is on ensuring safety rather than justifying inaction. A viable option would be to reroute traffic through Earle until the water levels decrease," Smith said in a April 8 post on Facebook.
The AR-DOT says that the waters should recede within 36 hours but anticipate the highway being severely damaged due to the extreme fooding.
Arkansas has seen a series of catastrophic storms and tornadoes since the beginning of the year. The severe weather that has claimed several lives. In February, Mayor Smith declared a state of emergency after an eight-inch water pipe collapsed causing a leak in the city's water supply.
Mayor Smith has since reported that the recent flooding has caused several car crashes and urges the AR-DOT to respond to the city's crises expeditiously.
