Stuttgart, Arkansas – Sweltering heat and humidity are pushing heat index values as high as 110 degrees across Monroe, Woodruff, Arkansas, and Desha counties this Thursday, with dangerous conditions expected until 8 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, an Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect for the entire region, covering cities including Stuttgart, Brinkley, De Witt, Dumas, McGehee, Clarendon, Augusta, McCrory, and Cotton Plant. Residents should expect the hottest hours between noon and 6 p.m., when the risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke rises sharply.
Local emergency officials urge everyone to stay indoors with air conditioning if possible. Those who must be outside should wear loose, light-colored clothing and limit activities to early morning or evening. The Arkansas Department of Health also stresses the importance of checking on elderly neighbors and never leaving children or pets inside vehicles, where temperatures can become fatal within minutes.
Utilities may see increased demand as more families rely on cooling, and local health providers are preparing for possible heat-related emergencies. Outdoor workers should take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors, as recommended by OSHA guidelines.
This extreme heat is among the highest Arkansas has experienced this July, echoing similar events in 2021. The warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. tonight; additional advisories could be issued if the heat persists.
