Little Rock airport resumes operations after pausing for 45 minutes due to severe weather
From CNN’s Chris Boyette
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock was forced to pause operations for approximately 45 minutes due to severe weather, following a tornado touchdown in Pulaski County, Arkansas, according to Shane Carter, director of Public Affairs & Governmental Relations for the airport.
The airport did not sustain damage and has since resumed operations, Carter said.
Crews assessing damages following tornado touchdowns in Arkansas
From CNN’s Paradise Afshar
Emergency management teams are currently assessing the damage following a tornado touchdown in Pulaski County, Arkansas, Pulaski County spokesperson Madeline Roberts told CNN.
The city has multiple reports of downed trees and other damages in the area, Roberts said.
The National Weather Service said a second confirmed tornado touched down in Garland County.
No injuries or structural damages have been reported in Garland County, Garland County Emergency Management Deputy Director Bob King told CNN.
Fire station in Little Rock, Arkansas, struck by possible tornado, pictures show
From CNN's Sharif Paget
Pictures taken in Little Rock by a local resident show storm damage to Little Rock Fire Station 9 after a possible tornado came through the area.
The fire station appears to have sustained damage to its roof and has multiple smashed windows. Debris, which includes sheets of twisted metal, is scattered around the area. Broken branches and uprooted trees can also be seen in the photos.
CNN has reached out to the Little Rock Fire Department and has not received a response.
Earlier: The National Weather Service confirmed two tornado touchdowns in Arkansas on Friday afternoon, including one in Pulaski County where the city of Little Rock is located. Three areas of Little Rock have sustained damage as a result of the tornado that hit the region according to Aaron Sadler, a spokesperson with Mayor Frank Scott Jr.’s office.
Governor says there is “significant damage” to central Arkansas following a tornado that hit the area
From CNN's Sara Smart
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders says there is “significant damage” to the area of central Arkansas as a result of Friday afternoon's tornado.
“Arkansans must continue to stay weather aware as storms are continuing to move through,” Huckabee Sanders said in a tweet.
State police and the emergency management teams are working with local authorities to assist injured residents, the governor said.
“Praying for all those who were and remain in the path of this storm,” she added.
National Weather Service confirms 2 tornado touchdowns in Arkansas
From CNN’s Paradise Afshar
The National Weather Service has confirmed two tornado touchdowns in Arkansas on Friday afternoon.
The touchdowns took place in Pulaski County and Garland County, according to forecaster Travis Shelton.
Pulaski County includes the city of Little Rock. Garland County sits about 70 miles outside of Little Rock.
The area is under a rare Level 5 out of 5 threat for severe weather.
National Weather Service confirms tornado touchdown in metro Little Rock area
From CNN’s Paradise Afshar and Sara Smart
The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touchdown in metro Little Rock and its suburban areas.
The agency has gotten multiple reports of injuries and damage to infrastructure, according to meteorologist Colby Pope.
Three areas of Little Rock have sustained damage as a result of the tornado that hit the region, Aaron Sadler, a spokesperson with Mayor Frank Scott Jr.’s office, told CNN.
The governor’s office is asking people to stay away from the areas of Shackleford, Rodney Parham and Breckenridge to “allow emergency responders to do their work.”
Damage assessment is currently underway in those areas.
Over 50,000 customers without power as tornado blows near Little Rock
From CNN's Gene Norman and Chris Boyette
Over 50,000 customers are without power in Pulaski County in Arkansas, as a confirmed tornado west of Little Rock is expected to pass just north of downtown.
According to PowerOutage.us, 53,714 customers are without power.
A tornado emergency was declared in the last hour, and the National Weather Service located in North Little Rock evacuated to a tornado shelter. The NWS office in Memphis is taking over issuing warnings.
New tornado watch includes Chicago and Milwaukee until 10 p.m. local time
From CNN's Gene Norman
A new tornado watch is now in effect for northern Illinois, northwest Indiana, southern Wisconsin and Lake Michigan until 10 p.m. CT (11 p.m. ET), according to the Storm Prediction Center.
Storms developing this afternoon and evening are expected to produce a couple of intense tornadoes, damaging wind gusts to 70 mph and hail as large as golf balls.
Cities in the watch include Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee and Rockford.
Kentucky governor issues state of emergency: “This is the worst forecast I’ve seen as Governor”
From CNN’s Sara Smart
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued a state of emergency ahead of the severe weather headed for his state.
“This is the worst forecast that I’ve seen as Governor,” Beshear said in a statement. “I am declaring a state of emergency so that we can be prepared.”
Forecasters warned of enhanced risk for severe storms, Level 3 of 5, in areas of the state including Louisville. The main threats are isolated long-track tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail.
Kentuckians are expected to be sheltered by 5 p.m. local time (6 p.m. ET).
“I don’t want to lose one more Kentuckian, so everybody be safe,” Beshear added.
The governor also advised for all state office buildings to close by 3 p.m. CST on Friday.
Elsewhere Friday, a rare Level 5 out of 5 alert has been issued for parts of the Midwest and South, impacting nearly 3 million people Friday evening.
