Strong Storms Topple Trees, Power Lines in River Valley

Strong storms picked up strength Thursday as they moved into the River Valley.

Heavy rain soaked the city of Fort Smith. Strong wind knocked down power polls along State Line Road, forcing police to block off a portion of Zero Street.

“Awww we thought a tornado was coming through. I mean it just came so fast,” said Harold Smith, of Arkoma. Smith says the storm knocked part of a tree into his power line. “High gust of wind come through,” he said.

In Arkoma several streets over strong wind snapped a tree and damaged a fence. “We thought we was gone get blown away. That’s how bad it was,” said Jackie Howard, of Arkoma.

Howard watched the high wind and hail move through his yard. “The good Lord took care of us. That’s what I’m saying,” he said.

In Arkoma the storm uprooted a tree and split it in half. The tree landed in Brittany Boling’s backyard, just inches from her home. “All of the sudden a big boom hit, heard something in the house,” said Boling. “We couldn’t see. There was a trampoline blowing across the street, down the road. There was trash cans flying everywhere. It was crazy,” she said.

Storm victims seem to be thankful for the rain, but not for the damage.