Damage reported in White County after strong storms moved through

7:50 P.M. UPDATE:

Storm damage from a possible tornado has been reported in the Kensett and Higginson areas in White County, the National Weather Service said.

The extent of the damage wasn't immediately clear and it also wasn't known if there were any injuries.

The damage reports came as forecasters tracked storms in those areas that indicated possible tornadoes on radar.

The weather service said weather spotters also confirmed a tornado near Bald Knob at one point Tuesday night.

A tornado warning, meanwhile, that had been in effect for parts of Woodruff, Jackson and White counties was canceled shortly before 8 p.m.

A tornado watch remains in effect for most of central and northern Arkansas until 10 p.m.

7:16 P.M. UPDATE:

A new tornado warning covers northern Woodruff County, southern Jackson County and northeastern White County.

The National Weather Service said a storm capable of producing a tornado was over Judsonia at 7:14 p.m. and moving northeast at 40 mph.

The warning runs through 8 p.m.

7:10 P.M. UPDATE:

A strong storm that may have produced a tornado was headed toward Judsonia, the National Weather Service said.

The agency said residents in Judsonia should take cover as the storm moves in.

A short time earlier, there were reports of trees and power lines down on U.S. 167 near Higginson.

7 P.M. UPDATE:

The National Weather Service in Little Rock has issued a tornado warning for central White County in central Arkansas.

The warning is in effect until 7:15 p.m.

The weather service said shortly before 7 p.m. that the tornado threat was "increasing" as the storm neared Searcy. Residents there were advised to take cover.

A tornado watch remains in effect for most of central and northern Arkansas until 10 p.m.

6:15 P.M. UPDATE:

The National Weather Service in North Little Rock has continued a tornado warning for east-central Faulkner County but canceled the warning for northeastern Pulaski County.

Forecasters said a storm moving northeast at 40 mph and capable of producing a tornado was located near Vilonia, or 9 miles northwest of Little Rock Air Force Base, as 6:12 p.m.

A tornado watch remains in effect for most of central and northern Arkansas until 10 p.m.

5:58 P.M. UPDATE:

A tornado warning for parts of central Arkansas has been extended until 6:45 p.m., forecasters say.

The warning is for southern Faulkner County and northeastern Pulaski County.

The National Weather Service said a severe storm moving northeast at 40 mph capable of producing a tornado was located near Mayflower and Maumelle at 5:54 p.m.

The storm will cross Interstate 40 near Mayflower, forecasters said.

5:45 P.M. UPDATE:

A tornado warning for north-central Garland County and northern Saline County has been canceled, the National Weather Service says.

The warning is still intact for other parts of central Arkansas, and a tornado watch covering most of the state is still intact until 10 p.m.

Law enforcement in Hot Springs Village reported that trees had fallen on a house in Garland County. No injuries were immediately reported.

Forecasters also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southeastern Perry County, northwestern Saline County and northwestern Pulaski County.

5:22 P.M. UPDATE:

The National Weather Service in North Little Rock has issued a new tornado warning that includes more of central Arkansas.

The warning for northwestern Pulaski County, southeastern Perry County, southwestern Faulkner Count and north-central Saline County lasts until 6 p.m.

Forecasters said a storm moving northeast at 40 mph and capable of producing a tornado was located 7 miles south of Williams Junction, or 12 miles northeast of Hot Springs Village, at 5:22 p.m.

5:06 P.M. UPDATE:

The National Weather Service in North Little Rock has issued a tornado warning for parts of central Arkansas.

The warning was issued for north central Garland County and northwestern Saline County and expires at 5:45 p.m.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday, a storm moving northeast at 40 mph and capable of producing a tornado was located near Jessieville, about 10 miles west of Hot Springs Village, forecasters said.

3:45 P.M. UPDATE:

The weather service has issued a tornado watch for a large part of northern and central Arkansas, including Little Rock.

In its announcement, forecasters said a few strong tornadoes are possible as a storm system moves across the state.

The weather service also said that scattered hail up to apple size is likely and scattered gusts of up to 70 mph are possible in some areas.

The watch continues until 10 p.m. Tuesday.

EARLIER:

A large swath of central and northern Arkansas is under an enhanced risk for severe storms including tornadoes and damaging winds Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service said.

The area under the enhanced risk is north of Little Rock and includes Russellville, Conway, Harrison, Mountain Home and Jonesboro. Points south, including Little Rock, are under a low or marginal risk for severe storms.

"Isolated to scattered thunderstorms may develop late this afternoon and into the evening hours," the weather service said in a statement. "If these storms develop they will have the potential to become severe very quickly, with damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes a possibility."

In a statement, Brian Smith, a meteorologist with the weather service in North Little Rock, noted the environment is "conducive to tornadoes, including a few strong, and possibly long-tracked ones." And he wrote that Arkansans should be prepared for the possibility of nighttime tornadoes.

"With the risk of night time severe weather, it is especially important to maintain a heightened state of awareness," he said. "Make sure you have a means of receiving warnings necessary before you go to bed tonight."

Smith said the area around and north of Interstate 40 to the Missouri border and west of U.S. 67 are under the "greatest tornado risk."

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