Article Summary –
Severe storms ripped through northern Arkansas, leaving three people dead and causing widespread damage. A state of disaster was declared in Benton County, where one of the deaths occurred. The storms also resulted in power outages for over 100,000 people, road closures due to landslides and gas leaks, and caused many Northwest Arkansas churches to cancel services.
Severe Storms in Northern Arkansas Result in Three Confirmed Deaths
Severe storms struck northern Arkansas overnight on Sunday, resulting in three confirmed deaths and widespread damage.
One fatality was confirmed by Benton County Judge Barry Moehring during a press conference, where he also declared a disaster for the county. A second death was reported in Baxter County.
Boone County Office of Emergency Management representative, Daniel Bolen, confirmed a third death – a 26-year-old woman found deceased outside a destroyed home in Olvey.
According to Judge Moehring, fire and EMS crews are conducting search and rescue operations throughout the area. He urged residents to stay off the roads due to multiple reports of downed power lines.
The Metroplex event center in Rogers has been repurposed as a shelter for those affected by the severe storms, which have devastated surrounding communities.
Rogers police are responding to gas leaks, road closures, and trapped individuals in homes and businesses, as reported by content partner KNWA.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation confirmed that Highway 340 at West Chelsea has been closed due to a landslide washing out an area under the roadway.
As of 11:15 a.m., PowerOutage.US reported that 103,000 Arkansans are without power, majorly in the northern counties. These include Benton, Carroll, Madison, Boone, Marion, Baxter, Fulton, Sharp, and Randolph.
Carroll Electric has initiated its Emergency Restoration Plan to combat the power outage, which has left over 40,000 without electricity. Neighboring electric utilities are assisting in restoring power.
Following the severe storms, many churches in northwest Arkansas have canceled their services.
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