In the early hours of Sunday morning, multiple severe storms swept through Northwest Arkansas, causing widespread destruction and claiming several lives. Governor Sarah Sanders has declared a state of emergency and allocated funds for recovery efforts.

During a press conference on Sunday morning, Barry Moehring, Benton County judge, confirmed the unfortunate news of one fatality in eastern Benton County due to the storm. Moehring stated that numerous agencies have been deployed to help with recovery operations and evaluate the extent of the damage. The primary focus at this time is to assist law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services in conducting search and rescue operations, prioritizing the safety of affected citizens.

Reports indicate that three tornadoes touched down last night, one near Decatur and two in the vicinity of Beaver Lake in Benton County. Additional tornadoes are suspected in Benton County as well. Tragically, a 26-year-old woman was discovered deceased outside a demolished home in Olvey, a small community in Boone County, according to the county's Office of Emergency Management. The Baxter County Sheriff's Office has also confirmed one storm-related death in their county, while Marion County Sheriff Gregg Alexander reported two storm-related fatalities in Marion County. Another death in the county is not believed to be storm-related.

The severe storms have left thousands without power, with the majority of outages occurring in Benton County. At its peak, more than 120,000 people were without electricity, according to Poweroutage.us. Emergency officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel in the affected areas to ensure their safety.

The National Weather Service, based in Little Rock, has dispatched a storm survey team to Boone and Marion counties to assess the extent of the damage caused by last night's storms. Governor Sarah Sanders has also announced her plans to visit the storm-impacted areas on Monday.

As this is still a developing story, more information will be provided as it becomes available. The thoughts and prayers of the community are with those affected by these devastating storms, as recovery efforts continue amidst the significant damage caused.