SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. (KFSM) — The National Weather Sevice in Tulsa has confirmed a tornado touched down in northern Adair County and Siloam Springs late Sunday night (Oct. 20) into Monday morning (Oct. 21).
The NWS is unsure at this time whether it was a single tornado that caused damage in both areas or if it were multiple.
According to Benton County Emergency Management, the tornado was an EF-1 and traveled down Highway 16.
Surveys will continue in the areas in the path of the storm.
No additional details are available at this time.
Due to the severity and widespread damage of the storms that rolled through the area early Monday (Oct. 21), Judge Barry Moehring has signed an emergency disaster declaration for Benton County.
The declaration allows Benton County and affected cities to request assistance from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) for un-insured public sector damages attributed to the storm and repair structures to pre-disaster conditions.
No damage estimates were immediately available as of Monday afternoon.
The National Weather Service has confirmed that the high-speed winds were attributed to at least one tornado and straight-line winds contributed to damage in Rogers, Siloam Springs, Cave Springs, Highfill and Prairie Creek.
American Red Cross of Arkansas has set up a shelter at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Rogers for those impacted by the storms.
According to the Associated Press, the NWS says preliminary information shows an EF-1 hit Sunday night in Tyronza, located in the northeast corner of the state. Jonesboro TV station KAIT reported that five people were injured there. The weather service did not have an estimate yet of the wind speed.
According to Nick Samac, with Carroll County Emergency Management, the northern section of the county took the brunt of the storm, leaving trees down, some even into homes.
Samac says the power is out for several residents in the county, but an estimated total has not been made at this time.
No injuries have been reported in Carroll County at this time.
Madison County Emergency Manager Lori McConnell says there are a few trees down, but there is no significant damage.