Flooding, wind damage reported as storms move through state

A line of storms pushes through Arkansas on Wednesday afternoon, causing power failures, downed trees and strong winds throughout the state.
A line of storms pushes through Arkansas on Wednesday afternoon, causing power failures, downed trees and strong winds throughout the state.

5:30 p.m. update:

Entergy Arkansas reports that over 37,000 customers are without power as a result of strong storms moving through the state.

The National Weather Service in Little Rock has received multiple reports from emergency officials in Polk, Conway, Garland and Yell counties of property damage and downed power lines and trees from strong wind gusts.

Some trees fell on vehicles and homes, while some reportedly blocked several roads — including Arkansas 8 east of the Mena airport, Arkansas 28 between Plainview and Ola, and Arkansas 227 in Garland County, the agency said.

Pulaski, Saline and Lonoke counties are under a flash flood warning until 7:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m. update:

The National Weather Service in Little Rock is receiving multiple reports from county officials of damage from downed trees in Polk, Conway and Yell counties.

More details to follow.

3:30 p.m. update:

Strong wind and hail are being reported in some areas of north Arkansas, according to the National Weather Service in Little Rock.

Wind speeds up to 60 mph were reported about 2:30 p.m. by trained storm spotters just north of Mountain Home. The service has also received reports of penny-size hail in Pope County.

Logan, Scott and Yell counties are under a flash flood warning until 5:30 p.m., the service said.

Meanwhile, Entergy Arkansas reports that 12,000 customers are without power as a result of the storms.

Earlier:

Some thunderstorms could occur in the state Wednesday as a cold front approaches, meteorologists say.

At least a few severe thunderstorms will occur in the early afternoon until about 8 or 9 p.m., John Robinson, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Little Rock, said in an email.

“Most of the state is included in the severe weather threat. The least likely areas should be south central and southeast sections close to the Louisiana border,” he said.

Though widespread heavy rain is not expected, some of the storms are capable of producing more than an inch of rain an hour.

Damaging winds are more likely to occur during the storms than large hail, Robinson said.

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