Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – May 8, 2024 – The National Weather Service has placed Northeast Arkansas in an “enhanced risk” (Level 3/5) area for severe weather later today and tonight.
“This is one of the highest risk levels we have had in a severe weather outlook in quite a while,” said Trey Stafford, who leads severe weather coverage for the Jonesboro Radio Group.
Storms are expected to develop over Western Parts of Arkansas and Southwestern Missouri later today. Discrete (individual) thunderstorm cells will present the greatest threat for tornadoes and large hail. Later the storms are expected to evolve into a squall line (long continuous line of storms) and move Southeast into Tennessee and Mississippi.
The greatest risk for severe weather for Northeast Arkansas appears to be between about 8pm and Midnight, although timing could be different.
Tune to Jonesboro Radio Group radio stations (104.9 The Fox, Mix 106.3, 100.5 The Eagle) for severe weather coverage; tune to NOAA Weather Radio; tune to the K8 Storm Team.
Severe weather has already reared its ugly head in Arkansas. A tornado hit the city of Hot Springs and Southeastern Garland County overnight. There are trees down, power outages and roads blocked according to Garland County Judge Darryl Mahoney. There were also reports of injuries, although no injuries had been confirmed. A viewer sent video of the tornado to KARK meteorologist Todd Yakoubian who posted the video on Facebook (below).