Thursday, September 9, 2010 2:03 a.m.
Print edition
Home / News / Latest Weather /

VIDEOS: Severe weather hits Arkansas

Reports of damage in several areas

By ArkansasOnline

Photo by Stephen B. Thornton

Related Links:

ADVERTISEMENT

• E-mail
• Print
• Comments

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.

Lillie Orrell was asleep in her Benton home when the tornado struck, ripping off a deck and damaging her roof but leaving her uninjured.

Resident describes tornado

Video available Watch Video
A couple catches storm as it rolls through Saline County

Home video of tornado

Video available Watch Video

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.

Thank you for coming to the Web site of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. We're working to keep you informed with the latest breaking news.

This article was originally published March 10, 2010 at 4:43 p.m.
Updated March 10, 2010 at 7:54 p.m.

Make a comment on this story.



Previous Story

Storms swat Arkansas

Storm damage along Sunnybrook Road west of Benton in Saline County Thursday morning.

Dozens of homes and buildings were damaged Wednesday night as reported tornadoes and strong thunderstorms pack... » More

Next Story

Tornado season under way

Forecasters say a wetter-than-usual winter and a jet stream dipping deep into Tornado Alley could lead to an active spring for tornadoes. » More

Comments on VIDEOS: Severe weather hits Arkansas

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion. Read our Terms of Use policy.

Registration is required to make comments. Click here to LOGIN.
You can register for FREE to post comments and receive alerts.

Site Index