National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Briefing

A line of strong to possibly severe thunderstorms is expected to move into western Arkansas Monday night ahead of an advancing cold front. Some of these storms could produce damaging wind gusts, and perhaps an isolated tornado.

Heavy rainfall has already fallen across a good portion of central, western, and northern Arkansas over the last 24-hours. Additional heavy rainfall and severe weather will be possible through Tuesday (election day). Here is an in-depth briefing explaining expected weather conditions through Wednesday morning.

• Widespread rain fell yesterday and overnight leading to flooding across portions of northern Arkansas.

• Additional rainfall is expected today and into Tuesday as a cold front begins to push towards the state.

• An additional one to three inches will be possible through Tuesday

Severe Weather Outlook for Arkansas from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across western Arkansas Wednesday evening and Wednesday night.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible today across the region into this evening. Late tonight, strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible mainly northwest of the region. Look for strong south winds today outside thunderstorms with wind gusts upwards of 30 mph possible. There will continue to be an elevated fire threat due to very dry conditions with those conditions continuing until rainfall materializes later today into Thursday.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across eastern and southern Arkansas Thursday.

In SW AR, rain chances will continue through the end of the work week, into the upcoming weekend and into early next week as well. At this time, strong to severe thunderstorms do not appear likely through early next week. Temperatures will remain mostly above normal through the extended period as well.

The forecast for Halloween evening calls for rain chances across the southeast with dry conditions elsewhere. Temperatures will largely be in the 50s and 60s.

Economic impact of Arkansas timber damage from May tornadoes estimated at $89 million

By Traci Rushing
Arkansas Center for Forest Business
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

MONTICELLO, Ark. — In May Arkansas saw a record number of tornadoes touch down in our state causing an estimated $89 million in total economic impacts and potential environmental risk associated with the forest damage experienced in five northern counties.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS — In May Arkansas saw a record number of tornadoes touch down in our state causing an estimated $89 million in total economic impacts and potential environmental risk associated with the forest damage experienced in five northern counties. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)

The National Weather Service (NWS) reported a record number of 17 tornadoes recorded across Arkansas on May 26 with one tornado having a path width of nearly 2 miles in Benton County. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry estimated the tornadoes destroyed $18.4 million worth of timber over 12,400 acres in Benton, Madison, Marion, Baxter and Fulton counties. Given these numbers, the Arkansas Center for Forest Business conducted an analysis of the full economic impact of this timber loss, which totaled $89 million. This estimate includes the cost of hazard reduction, loss in labor due to timber not being harvested, carbon storage loss, and losses of both local and state tax revenues.

To support landowners in this area, the Arkansas Center for Forest Business prepared and reported the economic losses experienced in the five northern counties. Data was shared with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry which led to the Division requesting financial support from Farm Service Agencies to assist landowners in the area.

“The Arkansas Center for Forest Business assists landowners with strategic planning and provides economic values to the Arkansas Agricultural Department Forestry Division and the Arkansas Forestry Association as needed to support in policymakers’ decision-making to coordinate disaster funding,” said Dr. Shaun Tanger, Associate Professor of Forest Policy and Trade at the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources.

While the economic impact on the surrounding communities is devastating, the environmental impact of not properly caring for the fallen timber could be detrimental to the ecosystem. According to Dr. Matthew Pelkki, Director of the Arkansas Center for Forest Business and Professor at the UAM CFANR, these lands are very susceptible to seeing an infestation of negative pests and fire hazards.

“The potential is that the chemicals released from a dead or recently killed tree are going to attract insects, which in a natural scenario is not necessarily a bad thing. However, in this scenario, there is a potential to draw in populations of insects that are detrimental to our forest,” said Pelkki. “Insects such as bark beetles and red oak borers could thrive in the fallen timber and then start affecting living trees around the area. Then, there is also a fire hazard. We have a lot of dead, down material that will dry out and create a fire hazard.”

The Arkansas Center for Forest Business encourages landowners to be proactive with land management efforts.

“It is important that Arkansas’ forest landowners work with foresters to manage their forests for greater resiliency to insects, diseases, and climate events and one of the tools for that is timber harvesting,” added Pelkki.

Inquiries about financial assistance from Farm Service Agencies for landowners from the affected region can be directed to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry. The Arkansas Center for Forest Business is also available to provide landowners with valuable information and connections to assist with land management. More information about the Arkansas Center for Forest Business can be found on their website.

Governor Sanders signs an executive order to provide additional relief in regards to tax filing and payment deadlines in response to the May 24th storms in Arkansas

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS: 

E.O. 24-11: EXECUTIVE ORDER TO AMEND E.O. 24-09 AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RELIEF IN REGARD TO TAX FILING AND PAYMENT DEADLINES IN RESPONSE TO SEVERE STORMS ON OR ABOUT MAY 24, 2024. 

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WHEREAS: On or about May 24, 2024, and continuing, severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes began in Arkansas, causing danger, hardship, and suffering which now warrants this executive action; 

WHEREAS: On May 26, 2024, by Executive Order 24-07, a regional emergency was declared in the state as a result of the severe weather outbreak, pursuant to the Emergency Services Act, codified at Ark. Code Ann. §§ 12-75-101, et. seq; 

WHEREAS: Ark. Code Ann. § 26-18-505 authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration to grant a reasonable extension of time to file any return required under any state tax law upon written request for good cause shown. Good cause includes when any taxpayer is affected by a disaster emergency declared by the Governor; 

WHEREAS: Ark. Code Ann. § 12-75-114(e)(1) authorizes the Governor to suspend any regulatory statutes if compliance with those statutes would delay action in coping with the declared emergency; 

WHEREAS: On May 30, 2024, by Executive Order 24-09, relief was extended to affected citizens in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties by extending certain tax payment deadlines; and 

WHEREAS: There is good cause for additional relief to be extended to Arkansans residing in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties as a result of the ongoing emergency. 

NOW THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, acting under the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Arkansas and pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §§ 12-75-101, et seq., issue this Executive Order pursuant to the regional emergency as declared in Executive Order 24-07, and order the following: 

1. The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration is hereby ordered to extend the 2023 income tax filing date and income tax payment date and 2023 pass-through entity tax filing date and pass-through entity tax payment date for returns that are due between May 24, 2024, and October 31, 2024, to November 1, 2024, for those citizens and businesses residing in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties. This extension includes 2023 returns of Individuals, Subchapter S Corporations, Subchapter C Corporations, Pass-Through Entities, Fiduciaries and Estates, Partnerships, and Composite returns; 

2. Individuals and entities in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties will have until November 1, 2024, to file income tax and pass-through entity returns and pay income and pass through entity taxes that were originally due between May 24, 2024, and October 31, 2024; 

3. This relief includes return and extension payments due between May 24, 2024, and October 31, 2024; 

4. The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration is hereby ordered to extend the deadline under Ark. Code Ann. § 26-51-913(a)(2) to make a quarterly estimated income tax payment from between May 24, 2024, and October 31, 2024, for those citizens and businesses located in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties to November 1, 2024; 

5. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 26-18-505(a)(1) requiring a written request for an extension to file an individual income tax return are hereby waived through November 1, 2024, for citizens who reside or whose businesses are located in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties; 

6. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 26-18-505(a)(3) limiting an extension for filing an individual income tax return to no more than 180 days is hereby waived through November 1, 2024, for citizens who reside or whose businesses are located in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties; and 

7. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 26-18-505(a)(4) requiring the promulgation of rules to waive the requirement for a written request for an extension are hereby waived through November 1, 2024. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed on this 15th day of July, in the year of our Lord 2024.

Tropical Storm Beryl Briefing from the National Weather Service

Areas from southwest to north-central Arkansas could see the highest totals (isolated 4-6 inch amounts)

This map shows rainfall totals through Tuesday night, which includes some rainfall expected before Beryl moves through.

• TS Beryl will move onshore along the Texas coast late tonight into early Monday morning, likely as a hurricane.

• Beryl will quickly weaken and move toward the north then northeast, traveling across east/northeast Texas Monday into early Tuesday morning.

• The remnants of Beryl are expected to move across Arkansas from Monday afternoon through Tuesday before lifting northeast of the state by early Wednesday morning.

• The remnants of Beryl could provide some locally heavy rain and perhaps a few tornadoes/damaging wind gusts across Arkansas from Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon.

NOTE: Do not focus on the exact track. Impacts can occur well outside the area enclosed by the cone

Arkansas delegation supports governor’s request for major disaster declaration

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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton—along with Congressmen Steve Womack, Rick Crawford, French Hill and Bruce Westerman—wrote to President Joe Biden urging him to support Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request for a major disaster declaration as a result of severe storms in Benton, Boone and Marion Counties on May 26.

“We encourage the president to quickly approve federal aid to help speed up recovery efforts in Arkansas,” members said. 

The letter can be found here and below:

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the State of Arkansas, we are writing to support Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to declare a major disaster, pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act, as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on May 24, 2024, and are continuing.

As Governor Sanders noted in her request, the severity of this event created disastrous amounts of debris, severe infrastructure damage, and resulted in the deaths of at least nine citizens and injured countless others. Arkansans will continue to feel the destructive impact of this storm as we work to rebuild.  

Preliminary damage estimates conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency show major impacts to local jurisdictions in Benton, Boone, and Marion Counties exceeding an estimated $6.4 million in damages. At least 217 homes were destroyed with an additional 94 sustaining major damage. In total, over 478 homes were affected by the storms, leaving a large number of Arkansans displaced and many counties left without power for days. 

Despite facing significant hardships from the severe storm, Arkansans have demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness and resilience. Communities from across the state have come together to support one another during this challenging time. But as it stands, we believe the magnitude of this weather event warrants supplemental federal assistance. The above-mentioned counties have seen homes, businesses, and important infrastructure severely damaged, and federal government resources will be critical in restoration efforts.

The entire Arkansas delegation is eager to assist in any way possible to ensure expedited evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions. We thank you for your support, and respectfully ask for your attention and assistance in providing the resources necessary to ensure the safety and full recovery of Arkansans.

Special session discussions ongoing as Arkansas tornado recovery efforts progress

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

While elected officials’ focus shifted to recovery efforts after more than a dozen deadly tornadoes struck the state last week, Arkansas lawmakers have continued negotiating the details of a pending special session.

A special session became necessary when the Arkansas Legislature failed to approve the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s budget before the end of the fiscal session last month. The agency’s appropriation bill stalled after lawmakers raised concerns about a proposed increase to the director’s salary.

Rep. Austin McCollum, R-Bentonville, said details of the commission’s funding “remain to be seen,” but he said lawmakers will pass a budget. To avoid interrupting the commission’s services, legislators must approve funding before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1.

Special session discussions ongoing as Arkansas tornado recovery efforts progress

Dwain Hebda/Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas State Capitol.

At least 15 are dead after tornadoes rip through parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas

KUAR | By Joe Hernandez

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms ripped through parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas late Saturday evening and Sunday morning, leaving at least 15 people dead and causing widespread damage.

Around midday Sunday, some rescue crews in those states were still searching for missing people and digging out from the rubble, while residents in other states such as Kentucky and Tennessee were facing severe weather from the eastward-moving storms.

More than 400,000 residents throughout the region had lost power as of Sunday afternoon, according to the website poweroutage.us.

At least 15 are dead after tornadoes rip through parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas

Severe weather likely in Arkansas beginning Wednesday evening; briefing updated

• Severe storms are expected to fire across Arkansas this afternoon into the overnight hours.

• Chances for severe weather will increase through the day as a storm system tracks from the southern Plains to the mid-Mississippi Valley, and drags a cold front into Arkansas. Ahead of the front, well above average temperatures and humid conditions will create a very unstable environment.

• All modes of severe weather are in play this afternoon and overnight. Very large hail up to baseball size and wind gusts up to 80 mph are the main threats, with tornadoes also possible. Heavy downpours may lead to localized flash flooding as well.

• On Thursday, storms will be mostly south of Arkansas but could impact far southern portions of the state. Damaging winds and large hail would be the main hazards.

Minor updates have been made by the National Weather Service in Little Rock, AR.

They include the addition of NW Arkansas to the Tornado Outlook and Overnight Timing Graphics. 

Storms are expected to initially develop by early evening across northern and western Arkansas. These storms will be capable of all severe weather hazards. The storms will gradually shift eastward through the evening hours with the very large hail threat becoming slightly lower. The damaging wind and isolated tornado threat will persist. Activity should make it east of the Mississippi River by daybreak Thursday.

Severe Weather Briefing from the NWS in Little Rock

After activity comes to an end this morning, some additional thunderstorms could develop across central into southeast Arkansas this evening into tonight. But, the severe weather threat with this activity remains low.

The greatest risk of severe storms in Arkansas will be on Wednesday during the evening into the overnight hours.

Chances for severe weather will increase Wednesday as a storm system tracks from the southern Plains to the mid-Mississippi Valley, and drags a cold front into Arkansas. Ahead of the front, well above average temperatures and humid conditions will create a very unstable environment.

All modes of severe weather are in play. Very large hail up to baseball size and wind gusts up to 80 mph are the main threats, with tornadoes also possible. Heavy downpours may lead to localized flash flooding as well.

Severe Weather Briefing for Arkansas from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

• There is a potential for severe weather today through Wednesday. The greatest risk of severe storms in Arkansas will be on Wednesday.

• In the near term, an outbreak of severe weather is expected in the Plains today. A line of strong/severe storms will approach northwest Arkansas tonight, but should weaken as it progresses into the state during the predawn hours Tuesday. Additional isolated to scattered thunderstorms will pop up Tuesday afternoon, but any severe weather will be spotty.

• Chances for severe weather will increase Wednesday as a storm system tracks from the southern Plains to the mid-Mississippi Valley, and drags a cold front into Arkansas. Ahead of the front, well above average temperatures and humid conditions will create a very unstable environment. All modes of severe weather are in play, including tornadoes. Heavy downpours may lead to localized flash flooding.

Severe Weather Briefing from the NWS Little Rock

• A northward lifting warm front on Friday, in tandem with an approaching dryline from the west in eastern Oklahoma, will initiate an opportunity for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop and move into Arkansas.

• All modes of severe weather will be possible from large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes.

• Excessive rainfall will also accompany this system which will present the risk for flash flooding, especially in vulnerable locations for flash flooding as early as Thursday through Friday night.

National Weather Service Severe Weather Briefing

A cold front will push through Arkansas from the Plains on Thursday. Ahead of the front, very warm conditions/well above normal temperatures will exist, creating a very unstable environment.

A broken line of scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across the northwest counties Thursday afternoon. The line is then expected to move towards central and northeastern locations Thursday evening and night. There are indications the line will gradually weaken after the sun sets, and daytime heating is lost.

Large hail and damaging winds are the primary concerns, especially across northern and extreme western parts of the state. A low, but non-zero tornado chances exists across the northeastern half of the state.

Severe Weather Briefing Monday night into Tuesday for Arkansas

• After a quiet but breezy/warm weekend, a powerful storm system in the central Plains will drag a cold front toward Arkansas late Monday into late Tuesday night.

• Ahead of the front, scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected from portions of Iowa and Nebraska to northern Texas Monday/Monday night. The focus for possible severe weather will shift eastward into Arkansas on Tuesday.

• Damaging straight-line winds appear the primary thunderstorm hazard across Arkansas, although large hail and a tornado or two will be possible with any supercells that manage to develop ahead of the main line of thunderstorms.

National Weather Service Severe Weather Briefing

A storm system arriving from the southern Plains will bring additional showers and thunderstorms to Arkansas today and tonight.

• Isolated to scattered severe storms could occur across the southern half to one-third of Arkansas today and tonight. The main concern will be large hail and damaging winds, however a tornado can not be ruled out. The environment will be most unstable (warm/moist) toward the Gulf Coast, and that is where damaging winds/a few tornadoes are most favorable.

• The forecast calls for an additional one-quarter of an inch to over one inch of rain across the state today and tonight. Locally heavier amounts are possible in the south and southeast portions of the state. Any flash flooding should be localized.

• Sub-freezing temperatures possible Sunday morning over portions of Arkansas.

Severe Weather Briefing for Wednesday evening from the National Weather Service in Little Rock, AR

Toward evening, a strong storm system and associated cold front will approach from the Plains. A new round of strong to severe thunderstorms will likely develop in southern Missouri and sweep into northern Arkansas.

This could be a significant severe weather event, and somewhat unusual for August. This kind of event is more reminiscent of spring. Destructive winds and large hail are the main concerns, and an isolated tornado or two are possible. 

Torrential downpours are expected in places. The forecast calls for two to three inches of rain in parts of the north, and this may result in localized flash flooding. 

National Weather Service
Little Rock, Arkansas

Lookout Arkansas! Another round of severe storms on the way for late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning

The potential for widespread severe weather across much of the state remains for later this evening and into the overnight hours. All severe weather hazards will be possible, including damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. 

• Thunderstorms are expected to develop and move across the state from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning.

• Damaging winds, tornadoes and large hail will be possible as storms move across the state.

• Initial storm development may occur across western Arkansas. These storms are expected to be isolated and capable of producing large hail and tornadoes as they move to the northeast.

• By late Tuesday/early Wednesday morning, storms are expected to merge into a line and march east across the state. The main severe weather hazards with the line of storms will be damaging winds and QLCS-type tornadoes.

• Locally heavy rainfall will be possible, but should not be very widespread. The highest amounts are expected across far southern Arkansas.

The National Weather Service indicates additional severe weather expected for Arkansas Tuesday and Wednesday

Rain and thunderstorms that moved across the state overnight have pushed east of the area. Rainfall amounts across southern Arkansas were generally in the 1-2 inch range. Amounts decrease as you go north.  

Mostly dry conditions are expected across the state today, southerly winds could be gusty at times. Very warm temperatures are expected today and Tuesday, highs could approach 90° in some areas both days.  

There will be an opportunity for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop and move across the state from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. All severe weather hazards appear possible, an enhanced risk of severe weather remains in place. The threat for severe weather should wrap up before noon Wednesday as a cold front moves east of the area.  

Locally heavy rain is possible Tuesday and Wednesday, the highest amounts are expected across far southern Arkansas. 

Rare ‘tornado emergency’ issued near Little Rock, Arkansas

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist and digital journalist

A life-threatening situation was unfolding around Little Rock, Arkansas, with a rare tornado emergency being issued for the city and surrounding areas. “A large, extreme dangerous and potentially deadly tornado is on the ground,” the National Weather Service (NWS) said. Meteorologists at the NWS office in Little Rock took shelter during the emergency and temporarily transfered all operational duties to the office in Memphis, Tennessee, until the threat has ended. A tornado emergency is reserved for the most extreme situations when there is a significant risk of damage and a high likelihood of fatalities.

The first of many severe thunderstorm warnings was issued early Friday, and AccuWeather meteorologists say the threat of dangerous severe storms, including tornadoes, will last into early Saturday.

A large, fast-moving tornado roared through central Arkansas early Friday afternoon near the Little Rock area. Preliminary reports of damage to buildings and disruptions on highways have been reported in the wake of the twister. Power outages are also spiking in Pulaski County, the county in which Little Rock is located. Over 50,000 electric customers were without power, and rising, according to PowerOutage.us. A severe thunderstorm immediately proceeded the tornado-warned storm. Although the second storm did not spin up a tornado, it brought heavy rain, frequent lightning and gusty winds to areas that were hit by the tornado. There is no word on storm-related injuries.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/live-news/live-large-extremely-dangerous-tornado-tears-through-arkansas-amid-severe-weather-outbreak/1506174

The view of a tornado Friday afternoon in Little Rock, Arkansas, as seen from Colonel Glenn area of the city. (Tristan Acker)

NWS-Little Rock warns of a strong storm system in Arkansas on Friday, March 31

A strong storm system will be in the central United States on Friday.  Ahead of the system, a gusty south wind will bring warm temperatures and increasing moisture, and the potential of strong to severe thunderstorms. 

The greatest severe weather potential is where the most lift (surrounding a storm system to the north) overlaps the most unstable air (from the southwest). This includes northern Arkansas.  Where severe storms develop, the main concerns will be damaging winds and hail, and there may be isolated tornadoes.

Quarter to three quarter inch precipitation totals are in the forecast, with up to an inch in the north. This will not be enough to make existing high water issues (i.e. elevated rivers/saturated soil) worse.

Over 75 million people in central US at risk of severe weather outbreak - Accuweather

At least 15 states will be at risk of an outbreak of violent thunderstorms that will unleash everything from damaging winds to tornadoes on Friday, AccuWeather meteorologists warn. The area highlighted by forecasters is a massive swath of the country that extends from Texas to Alabama in the South to areas farther north such as Wisconsin and Michigan.

The AccuWeather forecast team raised Friday’s risk of severe weather from moderate to a high level prior to the middle of the week, a sign of growing concern for the potential damage the storms could cause.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/over-75-million-people-in-central-us-at-risk-of-severe-weather-outbreak/1504845