STORM UPDATES: 100,000+ without power; Central High damaged

8:23 P.M. UPDATE

Nearly 130,000 Entergy customers were without power as a line of strong storms continued to move through the state Thursday afternoon and evening.

The utility said in a statement that wind gusts up to 70 mph were recorded.

"Entergy Arkansas continues to monitor the storm and cautions customers in its path to take precautions for this dangerous storm," it said. "As weather clears, Entergy crews will begin by assessing damage and restoring power as quickly and safely as possible."

[GALLERY: Photos of damage in Little Rock, North Little Rock]

The utility warned people to stay away from downed power lines and asked customers who are without power to turn off appliances, a step it said can prevent problems when electricity is restored.

The National Weather Service said it had received numerous reports of downed trees, including some on homes, across a large part of the state.

In Little Rock, numerous trees were reported down in the Governor's Mansion district, including one that landed on part of a car on Spring Street south of 17th Street.

7:35 P.M. UPDATE

Flights have resumed at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport - Adams Field in Little Rock but thousands remain with out power as strong storms move across the state.

Entergy reported as of 7:37 that 105,045 customers were without power.

At Central High School, where the weather cut short a graduation in which Tony Blair, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton spoke, attendees were boarding charter buses after sheltering in the school's stairwells.

Water was coming into the auditorium from a window close to the stage.

7:15 P.M. UPDATE

The number of reported power outages continued to climb Thursday night as strong storms moved across the state.

As of 7:15 p.m., Entergy's outage map showed 107,000 customers without power, including more than 40,000 in Pulaski County.

All flights are still suspended at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport - Adams Field in Little Rock, airport officials said at 7:10 p.m.

There was no damage reported to the airport but a generator problem caused some lights to go out in the baggage claim section, officials said.

Check back with Arkansas Online for updates on this developing story and read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

6:52 P.M. UPDATE

More than 90,000 Entergy customers were without power, including thousands in the Little Rock metro area, after strong storms moved through the state.

The utility said on its website shortly before 7 p.m. that 92,163 customers were in the dark after winds took down lines in numerous areas.

Entergy said it could not predict when service would be restored because of the "extensive and widespread damage."

Severe thunderstorm warnings remained in effect through 7:30 p.m. for parts of Pulaski, Arkansas, Prairie, Lonoke and until 7:15 p.m. for parts of Bradley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Dallas, Drew, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln and Ouachita counties.

6:21 P.M. UPDATE

As strong storms moved through the state Thursday evening, tens of thousands Entergy customers were without power.

The company's outage map as of 6:15 p.m. showed more than 66,000 customers were without power, including more than 20,000 in Pulaski County.

The storm damaged the roof at Central High, cutting short a program that included a discussion by Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Tony Blair.

Attendees sought shelter in the school's stairwells.

Little Rock police tweeted at 6:15 p.m. that trees were blocking Louisiana Street at the Interstate 630 intersection. Drivers were advised to avoid the area.

Check back with Arkansas Online for updates on this developing story.

6:02 P.M. UPDATE

Forecasters at the National Weather Service in North Little Rock say winds with speeds of potentially 70-80 mph winds are heading toward its office as of 6 p.m.

Rock Region Metro officials at 6 p.m. also suspended streetcar service until weather conditions improve.

EARLIER:

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Pulaski and Saline counties as strong storms move through state.

A possible tornado was spotted near Salem, about 7 miles northwest of Bryant, the weather service said at 5:40 p.m.

The warning is set to expire at 6 p.m.

As of 5:50 p.m., 40,000 Entergy customers are without power, according to the company's outage map.

Check back with Arkansas Online for updates on this developing story.