Towns, schools reporting storm damage

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Tornadoes touched down Wednesday evening, causing damage to several Northeast Arkansas towns and counties.

As of 7:30 p.m. K8 News has received word of storm damage to the following communities:

Bono
Corning
Lake City
Monette
Leachville
Payneway
Poinsett County
Randolph County
Butler County, Missouri

The National Weather Service described the tornado that hit Lake City as “catastrophic.”

Lake City tornado(Madison Perez)

CRAIGHEAD COUNTY

Lake City and Monette were among the hardest hit areas, with dozens of homes and businesses sustaining damage.

Several power poles and electric lines were downed across the town of Lake City.

Craighead County E-911 reported that Highways 18 and 135 in Lake City and Monette are “completely shut down” due to multiple power lines, electric poles, and houses across the road. People are urged to avoid the area.

The Westside Consolidated School District in Bono sustained damage, according to a school official, and classes have been canceled for Thursday.

Cash Fire Chief Morris Watkins told K8 News that two tornadoes went through about a mile apart. One of the tornadoes damaged Simplot and took out a farm shop.

Watkins reported several power poles down on County Road 270 and near Johnson Cemetery.

No injuries were reported.

Downed tree near Westside Consolidated School District(Houston Hart)

CLAY COUNTY

Corning Police Chief Blaine McClung reported down trees and power lines, along with damage to home and businesses on the east side of town. No injuries reported at this time.

POINSETT COUNTY

Harrisburg Mayor Justin Kimble reported downed power lines on the west side of town.

RANDOLPH COUNTY

Randolph County Sheriff Kevin Bell confirmed damage on Trinity Road near Black River Technical College and Duck Levee Road near Reyno.

The Shannon and 304 area of Randolph County has also been hit again with buildings south of town suffering “major damage,” including a church that lost its roof. A semi-truck was also reported to have flipped over on Highway 67 South.

MISSOURI

Butler County

Damage has also been reported in Butler County, where a family’s home between Fagus and Qulin was hit.

To report a typo or correction, please click here.

Showbiz Shadows