Strong storms down trees, knock out power to thousands

— A line of strong storms that spurred tornado warnings in different parts of the state Tuesday downed trees and knocked out power to thousands of people.

Entergy reported about 7,400 customers without power at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, including more than 1,100 in Jefferson County, 700 in Pulaski County and 1,300 in Union County. More than 10,000 were in the dark two-and-a-half hours earlier.

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The National Weather Service is investigating a possible tornado in Crawford County, where a spotter reported seeing one on the ground and radar indicated possible debris in the air. Officials are expected to look at other locations where tornado warnings were issued to see whether one actually touched down.

The agency collected dozens of reports of tree and building damage tied to the Tuesday night storms, which were also said to pack strong straight-line winds. The damage included:

  • Homes with roof damage in Elkins and Goshen in Washington County and Berryville in Carroll County.
  • A mobile home shifted off its foundation in Franklin County.
  • A roof blown off a barn in Boone County.
  • A large barn destroyed and a trailer overturned in Miller County.
  • A roof blown off a house and a mobile home damaged in Lafayette County.
  • Numerous trees on a house just southwest of El Dorado in Union County.
  • Multiple reports of trees and power lines down in Monticello.

John Robinson, senior warning coordination meteorologist for the weather service in North Little Rock, said crews would start surveying in Monticello and then work through the day to look at damage in other locations where tornado warnings were issued.

Much of Arkansas is under a wind or lake wind advisory Wednesday with gusts up to 30 mph common and up to 40 mph possible in the eastern part of the state.

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