LITTLE ROCK — A small microburst is suspected in a storm that caused damage in part of Hot Springs, the National Weather Service said Monday.
John Robinson, warning coordination meteorologist for the weather service in North Little Rock, said the cluster of damage in downtown provides "clear evidence" of a microburst, a strong downdraft that can produce damaging winds.
Officials received more than a dozen reports of damage in and around downtown Hot Springs after the Sunday storm, including a large hole left in the Austin Hotel, an EMS communications tower blown over, major wall and roof damage to the Regions Bank building, wall damage to the Historic Malco Theatre and assorted reports of tree damage.
The microburst, which occurred shortly before 2:45 p.m., produced estimated winds up to 70 mph, leaving thousands without electricity. By 7:45 a.m. Monday, power had been restored to all but about 940 customers, Entergy said.
No injuries were reported.