Tornado victims in Mena, AR...

[backtoblue]

Source: KSFM-TV

MENA, Ark. - The National Weather Service is reporting a large tornado and apple-sized hail did widespread damage across the city of Mena in Polk County, reportedly killing at least 3 people.

Renee Preslar, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Emergency Management, also says 22 injuries have been reported.

MAX5 Interactive Radar noted the tornado hit at 8:08 p.m., and stretched up to 16 miles. An earlier tornado from the same storm system cut across southern LeFlore County; in both cases, roads were destroyed to the point that emergency crews are having trouble assessing any damage.

In Mena, residents report multiple buildings have been damage; the Sheriff's Office confirmed that the Polk County Courthouse took a direct hit. The Mena Regional Health System also received damage, however, a hospital employee tells 5NEWS that they are still seeing patients and running off auxillary power. The National Guard has also been called in to assist relief efforts. Other emergency workers in Sebastian, Crawford and Franklin counties are already either working on plans to provide relief, or are eager to go down themselves to help.

The power is off for the majority of the city, and cell phone coverage has been impacted as well.

Crews from 5NEWS are on the scene; continue to check 5NEWSOnline.com for the latest information.
Copyright © 2009, KSFM-TV

[sinkingfeeling]

1. That was last Thursday night. Since then, they got over 5 inches of rain yesterday.

[backtoblue]

2. That's too bad.

They are in my thoughts. I live north of Mena, within 5 miles of Atkins that had a tornado last year.

[aaronbees]

3. In SW Ark we've been getting hit pretty hard with fierce weather

Another round of tornados rolled through and around the Texarkana area. It's been a rough spring for weather here. Usually this tends to just miss us, but not this year.