KARK 4 News & FOX 16 News will have special live coverage Saturday morning with the latest updates on the tornado damage in the Little Rock metro and many other areas of Arkansas. Tune in live starting at 7 a.m. on-air or online at KARK.com & FOX16.com.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Damage was reported throughout Arkansas as a series of tornadoes touched down on Friday.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a state of emergency.
LITTLE ROCK
Reports of damage due to flying debris in Little Rock at the Kroger store near Rodney Parham and I-430. Cars in the area are reportedly flipped over.
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023. 
Damage in Little Rock from tornadoes on March 31, 2023.
Trees down on I-430 near Exit 8. Traffic had been stopped both ways by police but is now showing on iDriveArkansas that traffic is moving very slowly through that area. Traffic is now moving on I-430.
There have also been reports of overturned cars due to a tornado.
ARDOT is reporting a tree blocking some lanes on I-40 near Military Drive, Exit 150.
Cars have been flipped and building damaged with trees down near Rodney Parham and Breckenridge.
National Weather Service observers have also noted reports of injuries in west Little Rock.
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. has asked Gov. Sanders for National Guard Assistance. He has asked people to stay away from affected areas.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK
An amateur radio observer has reported damaged homes in the area of Pontiac and Osage drives in North Little Rock. Parkway Place in North Little Rock is reportedly blocked by fallen trees.
The North Little Rock Police Department is reporting storm damage throughout the city. Heavy structure damage occurred in Amboy, Levy, Indian Hills and Burns Park. Emergency crews are working in the area and some injuries were reported.
The North Little Rock Emergency Operations Center has been established at the city’s Justice Building at 1 Justice Drive.
Sherwood City Hall is reporting power outages, with power lines and trees down throughout the city. They are asking for people to stay off the roads if possible.
JACKSONVILLE
Significant damage being reported in Jacksonville.
State highway 440 near the highway 67/167 going into Jacksonville has traffic slowed due to an accident.
The Garland County Sheriff’s Department reports trees down on Blacksnake Road. So far no structural damage has been reported.
WYNNE
Wynne, in Cross County, is reporting significant damage from a tornado that touched down there later in the afternoon. The high school is showing significant damage, and other area of the town are reportedly affected.
According to the Wynne Police Department Chief Richard Dennis, there is “total destruction throughout the town.”
Cross County Coroner Eli Long said no fatalities had been reported as of 6 p.m.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management has activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center to full activation Friday.
ADEM members are working with other support organization members from the center. AEDM continues to monitor weather across the state to prepare to provide needed resources to local jurisdictions as necessary.
Gov. Sanders signed an order Friday afternoon directing $250,000 to the Division of Emergency Management. The money is from the governor’s Disaster Response and Recovery Fund.
The governor announced the activation of the National Guard. They will be assisting Arkansas State Police, she said.
Baptist Hospital’s Little Rock and North Little Rock medical centers are anticipating a surge in patients, meaning the hospital is preparing staff, supplies and additional areas to treat patients. A Baptist Hospital spokesperson said the hospital had begun receiving patients, some in critical condition.
SHELTERS
The American Red Cross is opening a shelter in Little Rock at Calvary Baptist Church, 5700 Cantrell Road.
The Red Cross announcement said that identification and proof of residency are not required for shelter admission. Those checking into the shelter should bring a few days of clothing, bedding, toiletries and essential medication.
For those bringing children to the shelter, the Red Cross encourages bringing a child’s stuffed animals, a blanket or other items a child might need.
Little Rock has opened a temporary emergency shelter at Hall High School. Transportation to the shelter is being provided by Rock Region Metro.
Anyone who needs transportation to the Little Rock shelter should gather at 315 N. Shackleford Rd. (the parking lot of Immanuel Baptist Church) for pick up. Those in other areas should call 501-375-6717, option 2, to request a micro-transit ride.
Rock Region dispatchers will be on duty until 8 p.m.
An emergency shelter has been established at the North Little Rock Community Center located at 2700 Willow Street. Pets allowed are allowed in this shelter.
First Baptist Church in Jacksonville has opened for shelter. The church is located at 401 N 1st Street.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.