In a tragic turn of events, severe storms wreaked havoc in northern Arkansas on Sunday morning, claiming the lives of three individuals. Benton County Judge Barry Moehring confirmed one fatality in Benton County during a press conference, while also declaring a state of disaster for the county. Additionally, a second death was reported in Baxter County. Daniel Bolen, from the Boone County Office of Emergency Management, sadly confirmed a third death of a 26-year-old woman who was discovered outside a destroyed home in the town of Olvey.

Following the devastating storms, local fire and EMS crews initiated search and rescue operations in affected areas. Downtown Bentonville representative, Debbie Griffin, urged residents to refrain from using roadways due to numerous reports of fallen powerlines. The Metroplex event center in Rogers has been transformed into a shelter to accommodate those affected by the storms. nearby communities have also suffered substantial devastation.

According to KNWA, a content partner, Rogers police have been grappling with gas leaks, road closures, and reports of individuals trapped in homes and businesses. Major structural damage has been concentrated primarily in Rogers, Bentonville, and Decatur. The Arkansas Department of Transportation announced the closure of Highway 340 at West Chelsea due to a landslide that washed out a section of the roadway.

The impact of the severe storms on power infrastructure has been significant, with PowerOutage.US reporting that approximately 103,000 people in Arkansas are currently without electricity. The hardest-hit areas include Benton, Carroll, Madison, Boone, Marion, Baxter, Fulton, Sharp, and Randolph counties. Carroll Electric has enacted its Emergency Restoration Plan and is working with neighboring electric utilities to restore power for over 40,000 affected customers.

In response to the emergency situation, many churches in northwest Arkansas have canceled their services to prioritize the safety and well-being of their congregations.

As this is an evolving story, further updates and developments are expected. All rights are reserved in relation to this material, which may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.