31 Mar 2023 | 11:05 PM UTC
US: Authorities responding to major tornado damage in Little Rock, Ark., March 31 /update 1
Authorities mounting emergency response following damaging tornado in Little Rock, Ark., US, March 31.
Event
Recovery operations are ongoing after a tornado touched down in Little Rock, Arkansas, March 31. The twister transited the northern part of the city, moving in a northeasterly direction from Little Rock to Jackson. Unconfirmed reports suggest that at least 600 people were injured in the storm; authorities have as yet released no reports of potential fatalities. The tornado damaged or destroyed an unspecified number of structures; about 74,000 homes are experiencing electrical outages, approximately 62,000 of which are in the Pulaski County area.
The governor of Arkansas has declared a state of emergency in Little Rock and has mobilized the national guard to assist in search and rescue operations. Resulting disruptions to ground travel and business operations will likely persist for at least several days.
Advice
Monitor local media for updated emergency and weather information. Be prepared to quickly move to a safe location if new warnings are issued. Postpone driving until weather conditions improve. Charge battery-powered devices in case prolonged electricity outages occur. Strictly heed the instructions of local authorities.
