Live updates | Arkansas severe weather causing power outages and traffic

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Severe weather has officially moved into Arkansas, with the state already seeing multiple tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings on Wednesday. 

Rain and strong winds have already started to cause issues for certain areas in Arkansas, resulting in power outages and anticipated traffic issues. 

Here’s the latest information on how the storms are impacting the state:

• As of midnight, there are 26,410 power outages in the state.

A tornado warning has been issued in Arkansas County, including DeWitt. Gillett and  Saint Charles until 11:15 p.m.

• The main area of concern at this time is in southeast Arkansas.

• There are about 34,197 power outages across the state at this time.

• Cleveland and Lincoln counties could be in the path of tornado-warned storms. Power outages are currently at 36,472.

• In response to the severe weather in Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has released the following statement via a post on social media.
• “We have reports of storm and tornado damage from around the state. We have emergency personnel on the ground to help anyone who has been injured, but these storms aren’t finished yet. Stay informed and most importantly, stay safe!”

• Ouachita, Calhoun, Cleveland, and Dallas counties could be in the path of a tornado soon.

• A tornado warning was just issued in Arkansas County for areas near Almyra and close to DeWitt.

• Our THV11 meteorologists are keeping a close eye out on a cell that was spotted near Camden.

• A possible tornado is moving through central Monroe County at this time.

• Power outages across Arkansas are currently at 36,491.

• The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management has released the following statement:
• “We have reports of tornadoes on the ground. We are working with local emergency management offices for situational awareness and still learning of impacts as they come in. It’s early in the event, and we will release more information about potential impacts as it becomes available.”

• A severe thunderstorm warning was issued until 8 p.m. in Pulaski County.

• Power outages across the state are currently at 37,589 with most of the outages in Craighead County.

• Tornado warnings are issued for Clay, Craighead, and Mississippi counties.

• A possible tornado was spotted in Lake City.

• New tornado warning was just issued through 7:15 p.m. for Lonoke, Prairie, Woodruff, and a part of White County.

• A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Jefferson, Saline, Grant, Pulaski, and Lonoke Counties. Power outages are at 23,986.

• There are tornado warnings in Arkansas, Monroe, Cross, and Poinsett counties.

• There is currently a tornado-warned storm near Brinkley, Arkansas. People in the area could be in the path of a tornado.

• There is a tornado warning issued for White, Jackson and Woodruff counties. Tornado warning has been cancelled for Lincoln County.

• Tight rotation can be seen in Arkansas to the west of Dewitt, headed towards Almyra.

• A tornado warning was just issued for Independence and Jackson County. The path could be headed to the Newport and Diaz areas,

• There have been reports of hail in several areas of Arkansas, including Jacksonville, Star City, Greenbrier, and Cabot. Power outages are at 15,123 at this time.

• A new severe thunderstorm warning has now been issued for Saline, Pulaski, Lonoke, and White counties. The power outages are currently at 12,775.

• Several severe thunderstorm warnings are underway across the state. The number of power outages is currently at 9,088.

• Power outages in Arkansas have increased to 12,850 around the state.

• There are over 11,000 Arkansans without power, though it’s not immediately known how many of those outages were directly caused by severe weather. 
• The total number of power outages sits at 11,014, with over 6,700 of those outages being in the southwestern portion of the state in Lafayette and Miller County. 
• An accident has been reported in Grant County on Highway 167. The incident happened 0.7 miles of Sheridan and is impacting the right lane and right shoulder lane.  

• Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders mobilized four high-water teams and over 40 Arkansas National Guardsmen in northeast Arkansas to help evacuate flooded areas as they anticipate heavy rain.