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By Joe Edwards and Yevgeny Kuklychev
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Terrifying videos of a violent tornado in Arkansas have gone viral after a stormy night in the Central and Southern U.S. that threw debris hundreds of feet into the air.
The Context
The tornadoes arrived as a powerful spring storm system swept through portions of the Lower Ohio Valley and South.
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The National Weather Service warned of "life-threatening, catastrophic, and potentially historic" flash flood risks and "multiple intense tornadoes." The prolonged deluge "is an event that happens once in a generation to once in a lifetime," the NWS said in one flood warning.
Missouri State Highway Patrol said at least one person died in southeast Missouri following the intense storms, local television station KFVS-TV reported.
What To Know
One piece of footage, captured by prominent storm chaser Brandon Copic, showed a close-up of an immense wedge tornado near Lake City, Arkansas.
Other videos shared on Twitter and Reddit appeared to show a similar, or the same twister, from different angles.
Similar scenes appeared to be shown in additional footage, this time shared on Reddit. "Please God, keep it going away, please God," an onlooker could be heard saying.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency as a "large and destructive tornado" hit northeastern Arkansas, including Lake City.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency Wednesday.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms moved across the country yesterday, local NWS branches reported.
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"These storms are producing very large hail, damaging wind and some storms have been tornado warned," NWS Little Rock said on X, formerly Twitter, Wednesday.
The system was part of a "multiday heavy rain event," with several more rounds expected to soak the state over the coming days. Rain totals could approach 10 inches in some areas, the NWS warned.
"Thunderstorms continue to blow up over roughly the eastern half of Arkansas as a strong cold front continues to slowly advance through the state," NWS Little Rock said in a later X update.
What People Are Saying
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on X, Wednesday: "We have reports of storm and tornado damage from around the state. We have emergency personnel on the ground to help anyone who has been injured, but these storms aren't finished yet.
"Stay informed and most importantly stay safe!" she added.
The National Weather Service said on X, Wednesday: "As of this evening (April 2), there are nearly two dozen Tornado Warnings in effect from Arkansas to Indiana with many more expected as storms continue. If you are under a Watch or Warning, move to a sturdy location as soon as possible! Don't wait for storms to reach your location before finding shelter. Vehicles are NOT safe during storms of this severity!"
What Happens Next
For Thursday, NWS Little Rock said that severe weather remained a threat in the afternoon and evening for most of central Arkansas.
"All modes of severe weather remain possible including gusty winds, very large hail and even a few strong tornadoes," the service said in an X post.
Tornado watches are in place for parts of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee until Thursday morning.
Update, 04/03/2025, 5:44 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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