A line of storms hit central Arkansas on Wednesday night, spawning a possible tornado and causing damage in several areas.
National Weather Service Meteorologist John Robinson said one tornado had been confirmed as touching down about five miles west of Ozan in the community of Yancy.
Reports of damage were coming in from Center Hill in White County, where nine houses, a church and the fire department were damaged by a possible tornado. Trees were down, and one person was injured there. More damage also was reported on Bloodworth Road, north of Center Hill.
Another storm system was brewing in the southwest that could track northward into central Arkansas later tonight.
Please send any photos from your area to webreleases@arkansasonline.com.
There were reported sightings of the tornado in western Pulaski County just before 7 p.m. but no initial reports of damage.
Renee Preslar with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management said police have reported storm damage at and near 5141 Highway 5 in Saline County. Officials have not confirmed it was caused by a tornado and the full extent of the damage was not immediately known, Preslar said.
She said officials had not yet received any reports of injuries.
The Saline County emergency management coordinator is en route to the area.
Saline County Lt. Scottie Courtney said deputies were still working their way to the damaged area because they are having to cut through fallen trees along the way. But he said there were preliminarily only reports of property damage.
The storm produced hail and high winds. Golf-ball sized hail was seen in Maumelle.
Officials had no reports of damage in Pulaski County, though there were preliminary reports of tornado sightings in west Little Rock just before 7 p.m.
Warmer temperatures and sunshine may have brightened this week, but severe weather pushed into the state in the early afternoon.
A tornado watch has been issued for 42 counties and will remain in effect until 10 p.m.
Stay with Arkansas Online for more on the weather. Our video crew is en route to the scene now.
Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
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