JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) -At least three people are dead after Friday night storms across Arkansas.
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management said those deaths happened in Independence County. ADEM also reported 32 injuries in eight counties.
The agency stresses these numbers are preliminary and could change.
ADEM reports damage in Baxter, Clark, Fulton, Greene, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Nevada, Phillips, Randolph, Sharp, Stone, and Woodruff counties.
State of Emergency
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued an executive order Saturday, releasing disaster funds to those affected by the storms.
She is set to receive a briefing from officials in Cave City at 3:15 p.m.
Cave City
One of the hardest hit towns was Cave City, where city officials declared a state of emergency and issued a dusk-to-dawn curfew until further notice.
The National Weather Service in Little Rock says that initial findings from a survey lead to a rating of EF-3 with peak winds of 165 mph with additional surveys in the coming days.
Mayor Jonas Anderson reported an unofficial count of five injuries, with three taken to the hospital. He said all are expected to be okay.
A command center is operating out of the Cave City Fire/Rescue building on North Street, where it’s receiving supplies.
Areas damaged seemed to be in a line east/northeast from the cemetery to West Center Street, across Main Street at the intersection across the neighborhood to North Street, behind the high school, and east into the county, according to Anderson.
Sharp County Sheriff Shane Russell told K8 News that anyone wanting to assist in the clean-up efforts should gather at the Cave City Middle School parking lot.
The National Weather Service in Little Rock sent a survey team to the Cave City area on Saturday.
Izard County
The Izard County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook Saturday morning that there was major damage to homes, powerlines, and trees across the county from a possible tornado.
Stone County
The Stone County Sheriff’s Office reported major damage following a tornado-warned storm moved through before 10 p.m. Friday, March 14, causing two non-life threatening injuries.
Sheriff Brandon Long noted a “heavy concentration” of damage in the Onia and Fifty Six areas.
Greene County
In Paragould, several homes and businesses received damage from a possible tornado.
Paragould Mayor Josh Agee said the hardest hit area are Club View, Silo Ridge, Park Ridge, Chateau Blvd. area, Mueller area, and into downtown.
Agee said only four injuries were reported from the storm.
A citywide curfew is in effect for the next two days from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Anyone wanting to help with cleanup effort or to volunteer is required to go to city hall to pick up a free permit. Anyone without a permit in the affected areas will be cited.
Paragould City Councilman Jared Pickney announced an official drop-off and pickup site for storm victims.
Paragould Municipal Utilities continue to work Saturday morning, restoring power across town. In a Facebook post, PMU said Jonesboro City Water and Light crews are assisting in restoring power.
Butler County
In Butler County, EMA Director Robbie Myers said one person is dead, and a shelter is set up at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff.
We’re also tracking reports of damage in Ash Flat, Highland, Jackson County, Kennett, Paragould, Randolph County, and Ripley County.
Power Outages
As of 9:45 a.m. Saturday, March 15, the following electric companies reported outages:
- Entergy Arkansas: 9,395 customers statewide.
- Craighead Electric Cooperative: 1,707 customers
- North Arkansas Electric Cooperative: 4,920 customers
- Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative: 6,242 customers
- Ozark Border Electric Cooperative: 7,433 customers
K8 News will have crews throughout the areas affected as our neighbors across Region 8 recover through the days, weeks, and months ahead.
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