BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — Storms ripped through Northwest Arkansas, downing trees and power lines and causing at least one fatality.
Damage was reported throughout the region, with the most reports coming from Siloam Springs, Cave Springs and Rogers, according to Robert McGowan, Benton County Emergency Manager.
An adult male was killed when a tree fell on his house, McGowan said. The fatality occurred “in the Beaver Lake Fire Department response area,” McGowan said, but he wouldn’t be more specific on the address. He said heavy damage was reported in that area, as well as the Beaver Shores area.
McGowan also confirmed that the Gallatin Volunteer Fire Department’s building south of Siloam Springs sustained damage, but because it is a volunteer department, no one was in the building at the time, so there were no injuries.
McGowan said he had not heard of any other injuries related to the storms.
The Embassy Suites in Rogers reported damage to one of its doors, which was torn off the hinges by high winds. Ceiling tiles just inside were also damaged.
A shopping center took heavy damage at New Hope Road and South 8th Street in Rogers, where the front wall collapsed. The collapse damaged several businesses, including a Metro By T-Mobile store and Marco’s Pizza. Businesses along Pinnacle Hills Parkway also took severe hits, including Cold Stone Creamery and the Art of Pilates store along that road.
Highway 112 is closed in both direction from north of Pace Lane to just south of East Avenue through Cave Springs due to downed power lines and debris in the roadway, according to iDriveArkansas.com.
Highway 264 between Highfill and Highway 212 is shut down due to debris in the roadway, according to officers on the scene. Highway 264 from 112 east to Gleneagle Drive is closed because of downed power lines.
Damage was reported at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, and check-in systems were limited by a power outage there. Several delays were reported as of 6:30 a.m.
Crews worked throughout the morning to clear roadways of downed trees and power lines. The Rogers Fire Department reported several calls for gas leaks, power lines down and trees in roadway as part of “signficant damage due to the overnight thunderstorm,” according to a Facebook post.
The National Weather Service and the Benton County Office of Emergency Management reported one fatality that took place in Benton County. Further information wasn’t available.
Tyson Foods in Rogers is cancelling their first shift at the Rogers plant due to damage and a power outage, said Scotty Sappenfield, acting plant manager. Second shift will start on time, he said.
Power outages also closed the K-6th-grade classes for Providence Classical Christian Academy in Rogers on Monday. Grades 7-12, housed in another building, were still open.
Power outages were reported throughout the region. As of 6:45 a.m., SWEPCO was reporting 6,189 in Northwest Arkansas, with most of those in the Rogers and Lowell areas. Carroll Electric reported 12,673 in Benton County without power, with 1,186 without power in Carroll County, 27 in Washington County, 9 in Madison County and 15 in Newton County.