Two deaths now confirmed in Arkansas from possible tornadoes

40/29 News

26 May 202406:51

Summary

TLDRTwo possible tornadoes have struck parts of Benton County, resulting in one reported death and extensive damage including flattened homes and businesses with blown-out windows and roofs. The storms also caused road closures and power outages affecting around 59,000 people in the county. Assistance efforts are underway with food, clothing, and support being offered to displaced residents. Emergency officials are responding to gas leaks and urging caution. Cleanup and assessment are ongoing, with more severe weather expected in the afternoon.

Takeaways

🌪️ Two possible tornadoes hit parts of Benton County, causing significant damage and claiming one life.
🏠 Homes and businesses in the area suffered extensive damage, with windows blown out and roofs ripped off.
🚫 The storm system affected roads, causing some to be closed across Benton County.
🚑 Nine people are reported dead across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas due to the storm system.
🛌 A second death in Arkansas was reported in Boone County, where a 26-year-old woman was found dead outside a destroyed home.
🛠️ Power outages are widespread, with approximately 59,000 people without power in Benton County, though crews are working to restore electricity.
🛫 Delayed departures and arrivals at the airport (XNA) due to the storm, with delays from DFW, Charlotte, and Chicago.
🍴 Local community members are offering support by setting up food and clothing distribution centers for those displaced or without power.
🚦 Traffic is heavily impacted with lights not working and debris in the streets, urging caution for drivers.
🚨 Emergency officials warn residents to be mindful of gas leaks and to call 911 if they smell gas.
👨‍🚒 Assistance from various agencies and emergency responders from neighboring areas is being provided to help with the damage and recovery efforts.

Q & A

What is the current situation in Benton County due to the storms?
-Benton County has been hit by two possible tornadoes causing significant damage, including flattened homes, businesses with windows blown out, and roofs ripped off buildings. One person has been reported dead, and there were road closures across the county.
How many people have been reported dead due to the storm system across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas?
-In total, nine people have been reported dead across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas due to the storm system.
What is the current status of power outages in Benton County?
-There have been significant power outages, with initially around 70,000 outages reported. However, crews have been working to restore electricity, and the number has decreased to about 59,000 people without power.
How are flights being affected at XNA due to the storms?
-There have been several delayed departures and arrivals at XNA, with delays coming from cities like DFW, Charlotte, and Chicago. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for updates.
What assistance is being provided to those displaced or without power in the community?
-First Baptist Church in Decatur is serving food and providing clothes to those displaced, without power, or whose houses have been destroyed. They plan to be available until their resources are depleted and will also serve lunch.
What is the condition of the roads in Rogers?
-There are trees down across Olive Street in Rogers, causing traffic congestion. Traffic lights are not working, and there is debris in the streets, making it difficult for traffic to move.
What precautions are being advised for drivers in the affected areas?
-Officials are urging people not to drive through power lines, branches, or trees. They advise being careful while driving, especially since there is a lot of debris on the roads.
Are there any reports of gas leaks due to the storm damage?
-Yes, there have been reports of gas leaks due to damaged or ruptured gas lines. Emergency officials advise people to be mindful and call 911 immediately if they smell gas.
What agencies are assisting in the response to the storm damage?
-Several agencies, including emergency responders from Bella Vista, Fayetteville, and Spring Dale, are assisting in Benton County to help with the damage.
What is the weather forecast for the rest of the day, and how might it affect cleanup efforts?
-Showers and storms are expected later in the afternoon, which may affect cleanup efforts. People are hoping to complete as much cleanup and assessment as possible before the weather hits again.
Where can people find the latest updates on road closures and other storm-related information?
-People can check Benton County's official website, AR.GOV, for the latest on road closures. Additionally, updates are being shared on the news station's website and social media pages.

Outlines

00:00

🌪️ Severe Storms and Tornadoes Hit Benton County

The video script details the aftermath of two possible tornadoes that struck Benton County, causing significant destruction and claiming at least one life according to the county judge. The storms occurred overnight, first hitting Decatur and then moving eastward towards Centerton, where additional damage was reported. The damage includes flattened homes, businesses with shattered windows, and buildings with ripped-off roofs. The community has been sharing photos of the devastation on social media. Further damage was reported in downtown Rogers, with roads closed and power outages affecting approximately 59,000 people in Benton County, though crews are working to restore electricity. The storm system also resulted in nine deaths across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. There are reports of delays at the XNA airport due to the storm's impact on flights from various cities. Additionally, a second death in Arkansas was reported in Boone County, where a 26-year-old woman was found dead outside a destroyed home. The community is coming together to help those affected, with local churches and organizations providing food and clothing to displaced residents.

05:01

🚨 Updates on Road Closures and Power Restoration Efforts

This paragraph provides updates on the ongoing situation in Benton County following the severe storms and tornadoes. It informs viewers about road closures and directs them to the Benton County website for the latest information. The script encourages the community to share photos and videos of the damage safely on social media platforms. Power crews are actively working to restore electricity, with the number of power outages having decreased significantly in recent hours. There are also reports of gas leaks due to damaged gas lines, prompting emergency officials to advise the public to be cautious and call 911 if they smell gas. Assistance is being provided by emergency responders from neighboring areas such as Bella Vista, Fayetteville, and Springdale. The community spirit is highlighted through the actions of neighbors helping each other with cleanup efforts. The script also mentions the expectation of more showers and storms later in the afternoon, urging people to complete as much cleanup and assessment as possible before the weather worsens. It concludes by directing viewers to 40/29 TV's website and news app for further updates.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tornadoes

Tornadoes are violent, rotating columns of air that are in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are typically accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud. In the video's context, two possible tornadoes hit parts of Benton County, causing widespread destruction and loss of life, which is central to the theme of the video.

💡Benton County

Benton County is a geographical location mentioned in the script, indicating the area that was affected by the destructive storms. It is in Arkansas, and the script discusses the damage and aftermath within this county, making it a key location for understanding the scope of the event.

💡Debris

Debris refers to scattered remains of something that has been destroyed or broken into pieces. In the video's narrative, debris is a significant concept as it represents the aftermath of the tornadoes, with trees in the streets and damage to homes and businesses, illustrating the severity of the storms.

💡Power Outages

Power outages occur when the electrical power supply to a building or area is interrupted. The script mentions that approximately 59,000 people in Benton County were without power following the storms, highlighting the extensive impact on infrastructure and daily life.

💡Damage Assessment

Damage assessment is the process of evaluating the extent of harm caused by a disaster. The video script discusses the ongoing efforts to assess the damage caused by the tornadoes, which is crucial for planning recovery and cleanup operations.

💡Emergency Responders

Emergency responders are professionals who are trained to deal with emergencies, such as medical technicians, firefighters, and police officers. The script mentions that emergency officials and responders from various agencies are assisting in Benton County, showcasing the collaborative efforts in disaster response.

💡Road Closures

Road closures refer to the temporary or permanent shutting down of roads due to various reasons, such as construction or, in this case, natural disasters. The script notes several road closures across Benton County as a result of the tornadoes, which is an important detail for understanding the extent of the damage and the impact on transportation.

💡Gas Leaks

A gas leak is an unintended release of natural gas or other flammable gases into the atmosphere. The script warns of gas leaks caused by damaged gas lines, which poses a significant safety risk and requires immediate attention from emergency services.

💡Displaced People

Displaced people are individuals who have been forced to leave their homes due to a disaster or other circumstances. The video script describes efforts to provide food and clothing to those displaced by the storms, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of the disaster response.

💡Cleanup Efforts

Cleanup efforts refer to the activities undertaken to clear away debris and restore an area after a disaster. The script mentions that cleanup is starting and that people are hoping to complete as much as possible before potential further weather issues, indicating an ongoing process of recovery.

💡Community Support

Community support involves individuals and organizations coming together to help each other in times of need. The script highlights the community's response, with neighbors helping to move debris and clear roads, demonstrating the collective spirit in the face of adversity.

Highlights

Two possible tornadoes hit parts of Benton County, causing widespread damage.

One person has died following the destructive storms in Benton County.

Storms first hit Decatur, with drone footage showing flattened homes and businesses with windows blown out.

Damage photos from viewers across the community are being shared on the U Local Facebook group.

The storm system moved east, causing further damage near Centerton and closing some roads in Benton County.

A tornado possibly dropped in downtown Rogers, with Walnut Avenue closed at 24th Street due to severe damage.

Nine people are dead across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas due to the storm system.

Crews have been working to restore electricity, with about 59,000 people in Benton County without power.

There are power outages in Carroll County, Madison County, and less than 1000 in Washington County.

Several delayed departures and arrivals at XNA due to the storms, with delays from DFW, Charlotte, and Chicago.

A second death in Arkansas reported in Boone County, a 26-year-old woman found dead outside a destroyed home.

Community members are helping clear debris and traffic is backed up throughout Rogers.

Officials are urging people not to drive through power lines, branches, or trees.

First Baptist Church in Decatur is serving food and providing clothes to those displaced or without power.

Roads are closed across Benton County, and updates can be found on Benton County's official website.

Emergency officials warn residents to be mindful of gas leaks and call 911 if gas is smelled inside the home.

Multiple agencies are assisting with the response to the storm damage.

Neighbors are helping with the cleanup and assessment before potential showers and storms later in the afternoon.