Tornado Hits Arkansas

A tornado reportedly touched down in central Arkansas Tuesday as severe thunderstorms swept across the state. An emergency management spokesman says one person was killed near Appleton as a result of storm damage a residence.

The tornado hit the eastern part of Pope County one mile southeast of Appleton, causing damage to buildings and trees, then moved on to Conway County, touching down one mile west of Jerusalem.

The tornado blew down trees and power lines and damaged homes. Most of the damage was along Highway 124.

Assistant Director Jim Campbell for Pope County 911 said some people were injured, but he did not know the number or the extent of their injuries.

Tommy Jackson, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, said one person was killed, but he did not have any other details. He said about 12,000 people in northwest Arkansas were without power Tuesday morning after storms Monday, including at least one tornado.

Jackson said local emergency management officials were on their way to the two tornado sites. A dispatcher with the Conway County Sheriff's Office said deputies heading to Jerusalem could not be reached by cellular phone or radio. The dispatcher had no other details.

Monday night, a tornado reportedly touched down near Decatur and another near Hiwasse in northwestern Arkansas. A tornado was also reported near Bentonville. No injuries were reported.