Blytheville, Arkansas – A minor earthquake jolted northeast Arkansas just before 4 a.m. Friday, catching early risers near the Missouri border off guard and raising fresh concerns along the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
According to the University of Memphis Center for Earthquake Research, a magnitude 2.6 earthquake struck at 4:11 a.m. CDT about three kilometers southwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. The quake registered at a depth of nearly 13 kilometers, with shaking reported across Mississippi County and into neighboring southeast Missouri.
Residents in Blytheville, Gosnell, and even parts of Pemiscot County, Missouri, reported brief rattling but no injuries or damage as of early morning. Emergency management agencies remind locals that minor quakes are common in the region, though larger events are possible. Key roadways such as I-55 and US Highway 61 remain open, but officials advise checking bridges for possible loose debris.
Preparedness experts recommend reviewing earthquake safety plans, securing heavy furniture, and ensuring emergency kits are stocked—especially in homes, schools, and workplaces along the Missouri-Arkansas border. This morning’s tremor is a reminder of the area’s seismic history, echoing minor quakes that have hit near Blytheville in recent years.
No aftershocks have been reported yet, but authorities urge residents to stay alert for potential updates throughout the weekend. Further advisories from the New Madrid Seismic Network may follow as monitoring continues.
