The death toll from severe storms in northern Arkansas has been lowered to one person, emergency officials said early Saturday.
Officials had initially said three people had been killed when the storm and three possible tornadoes walloped Van Buren County on Friday.
The number of injuries in the county was also less than previously reported, said Rene Preslar, a spokeswoman for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.
There were 10 people injured in the county instead of the 25 previously reported, Preslar said.
"We are still looking at a number of damages, but fortunately the human impact is lower than previously thought."
Twenty-three people were injured statewide, Preslar said.
Kenny Dunham, a spokesman for the sheriff's office, said there were reports of severe damage in the west central part of the county, about 75 miles north of Little Rock.
Three homes have been destroyed in Shady Grove, Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management said.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for central and eastern Arkansas - along with parts of Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, until 4 a.m. CT Saturday. In addition to tornadoes, the National Weather Service warned of hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter, thunderstorm wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour and dangerous lighting.
Many roads in Van Buren County are blocked and authorities have closed some highways to prevent people from trying to access affected areas, Dunham said.
The storms prompted the Little Rock National Airport to cease operations Friday night, spokesman TJ Williams said.
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Well, I thought we were in the clear here in Central Arkansas, but another tornado warning just issued for Pulaski County (Little Rock). Think it is south of Little Rock, but local CBS affiliate just stated that National Guard has been dispatched to help with damage. More later.
I suggest KATV Channel 7 for the most up to date on all storms/tornadoes in Arkansas.
http://www.katv.com
Thanks for the link–very helpful. Please stay safe!
http://cfc.katv.com/katvlivestream.cfm
Live Stream
Current Warnings and Watches
via KATV
FLASH FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2:00 AM ON SATURDAY
Lawrence, Randolph,
FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 7:00 PM ON SUNDAY
Crittenden, Craighead, Cross, Greene, Lawrence, Lee, Mississippi, Phillips, Poinsett, Randolph, St. Francis, Clay,
FLASH FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1:15 AM ON SATURDAY
Independence, Jackson, Prairie, White, Woodruff,
FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 7:00 AM ON SUNDAY
Pulaski, Arkansas, Baxter, Bradley, Calhoun, Clark, Conway, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Fulton, Garland, Grant, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Jefferson, Lincoln, Lonoke, Monroe, Ouachita, Perry, Pike, Prairie, Saline, Sharp, Van Buren, White, Woodruff, Stone, Cleveland, Cleburne,
FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 7:00 PM ON SATURDAY
Ashley, Chicot,
Please get to a safe area, then text, and talk. We here in Canada hope and pray for your safety. I am at work all night will keep watching and praying
Best coverage, with storm chaser and Ned Perme and Barry Brant, live coverage.
http://cfc.katv.com/katvlivestream.cfm
For those who are out of state or without access to local news.
Won't be sure of all of the damage until day-break, but weather reports say mainly just flooding and severe storms. And there has been a total of 79 tornado warnings today in Arkansas.
I think I am going to call it a night and let the chips fall where they may, all things will be as they should be. To everyone in the path of the storm, godspeed and stay safe and may your higher power keep you.
Braedon
Also if you can't get a hold of love ones, several thousands without power. KATV, KARK, KTHV, FOX 16 should have links to see areas of customers without power, estimated almost 89,000 with first electric alone.
For those wanting further information on areas where possible tornado activity has been reported. 4029tv
"In Center Ridge, search and rescue is going on for a possible missing person."
The deaths were reported in Van Buren County, but details haven't been released. At least one structure had been damaged in Stone County, Preslar said.
Tornadoes were sighted in Culpepper, near Wrightsville and on Interstate 440 near Galloway, according to Arkansas State Police. Trees and power lines were down near Interstate 530 near Wrightsville.
There also was a tornado sighting in the Oakland area, said Marion County sheriff's dispatcher Julie Kucala.
Storm spotters recorded a wind gust of more than 60 mph and some downed trees near Three Brothers.
This is why I hate spring.
My sister is at a shelter in arkansas right now on her way to mississippi. this is so scary.
I am so blessed that the one I care deeply for and his family are ok, horribly saddened by the heartache and confusion some are feeling and send MANY MANY blessings that hearts will be healed and able to find peace.
Your love, O Lord,
reaches to the heavens,
your faithfullness to the skies
(Ps. 36:5)
It's not over! Tomorrow is another day like tonight. Calm during the day and then fires back up Saturday evening. Constant reports coming in of more damage and major damage. National Guard has been activated to head into Van Buren county as well as the East End community south of Little Rock. Tremendous weather and lightning I've never seen so much of!