Tornado in Arkansas injures 7 and destroys elementary school building as severe storms threaten the South

A tornado injured at least seven people and destroyed an elementary school building when it touched down in an Arkansas town Wednesday morning, as a strong spring storm makes its way over the region. Widespread damaging wind gusts, several intense tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are forecast for parts of the Mid-South into the central Gulf Coast through the evening, according to the National Weather Service. 

Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse said a tornado touched down in the town around 4 a.m. local time Wednesday. Seven people were hospitalized with injuries. As of Wednesday afternoon, one person remains in critical condition, one is in stable condition and five others were treated for their injuries and released, the Springdale Police Department said. All other residents are accounted for, and no deaths have been reported at this time.

Later Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service confirmed the tornado in Springdale and rated it at least an EF-2, which is considered strong with estimated winds of up to 157 miles per hour. 

The tornado also tore down power lines and trees, shut off traffic lights and led to road closures, according to the Springdale Police Department. Many residents were displaced, and several businesses reported significant damage, Sprouse said.

Meanwhile, Springdale School District said the tornado destroyed the gymnasium of George Elementary School, while leaving the building's kitchen and cafeteria "severely damaged." The schools closed Wednesday, and the district said maintenance staff will continue to assess the damage.

"The outpouring of love and support from our community is what makes Springdale great," Springdale School District said in a statement Wednesday. "We are working on opportunities to help and serve our families." 

As high wind warnings, tornado watches and flood warnings from the National Weather Service continue to threaten areas throughout Arkansas, Sprouse officially issued an emergency declaration. 

Arkansas is one of many states in the region that are in the path of severe weather, according to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center. Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, Florida and Georgia could be in for an outbreak of severe thunderstorms, strong EF2+ tornadoes and hurricane force winds through Wednesday evening. 

Some 148,000 people were without power across Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama and Arkansas as of Wednesday evening, according to the national database PowerOutage.us.

In Louisiana, where there are tornado warnings and watches, high wind warnings and coastal flood advisories, multiple state offices closed. 

"Stay weather aware today, Louisiana," Governor John Bel Edwards tweeted. "Conditions could turn into a dangerous situation quickly. It is imperative to take warnings seriously and have a game plan in place if taking shelter becomes necessary."

In Missouri, the National Weather Service reported an EF-1 tornado in eastern St. Joseph, as the area saw wind gusts up to 90 mph.

The National Weather Service encouraged those in the storm's path to stay away from tall trees and power lines, store an emergency kit in a safe location, have multiple ways to receive warnings and take shelter in a well-built building if need be. 

Janet Shamlian contributed reporting.

In:
• Weather Forecast
• Mississippi
• Severe Weather
• Arkansas
• Tornado