“Did you hear the boom?”
That was a persistent question on Wednesday after multiple reports of a loud boom or explosion being heard (and felt) throughout the region.
The staff at the White River Now office, located near the St. Louis and Harrison intersection in Batesville, did not feel or hear any noticeable noise, but an employee off-site did, noting he ran out of the building he was in after hearing the boom.
Ryan Vaughan from Region 8 News reported on social media that there were “lots of reports” in Independence County and some in Greene County. Similar reports emerged from Stone County in recent days of hearing unexplained booms.
Some on social media have speculated the booms could be sonic booms from possible Air Force maneuvers.
A White River Now reader submitted a screenshot (above) from the app, FlightRadar24, apparently showing a US Air Force Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker circling the region on Wednesday. The Stratotanker jet is a military refueling tanker, but its presence doesn’t confirm any connection to the booms.
Regardless, the cause of the booms remains unexplained, and there are no reports of incidents involving explosions or confirmed military activity in the area.
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Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
