No one was injured or killed by the twister. Meanwhile, Presley says rescue crews were working to extricate a woman after she was trapped when storm winds dropped a tree limb on her mobile home in Jonesboro. — Reports are coming in from people who rode out Hurricane Laura in Louisiana. Drone video in the Lake Charles area shows water surrounding homes with large parts of their roofs peeled off, hotels with rooms exposed and giant trees uprooted. And as big as they are and as close to the house as they are, I’m surprised we didn’t feel the ground shake or hear anything at all,” said Smith. Brett Geymann lives in Moss Bluff, just north of Lake Charles, and said the eye of the storm passed directly over them. Gaynor told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that the surge turned out to be less than what was forecast, but he expects significant wind damage to buildings once they do proper surveys of the disaster area. The storm surge that was predicted to be as high as 10 feet (3 meters) before landfall wound up being closer to 3 feet (0.9 meters), he said. The system maintained hurricane strength for about 11 hours before being downgraded to a tropical storm. LAKE CHARLES, La. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! The South’s Defenders monument has stood since 1915 outside a courthouse in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where local authorities voted 10-4 this month to keep it in place. And nearly 12 hours after landfall, Abbott says there were still no confirmed fatalities. The National Weather Service says Laura could dump as much as 7 inches of rain on Arkansas as it continues moving north away from Louisiana, where it made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane early Thursday. Maximum sustained winds were recorded at 35 mph (55 kph) late Thursday, according to the hurricane center’s 10 p.m. CDT update. The deaths were all caused by trees falling on residences, Edwards said. The storm is hitting during the state’s first week back at public school since March. The bulk of the damage was reported in Louisiana. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he will visit the Gulf Coast this weekend to tour damage from one of the fiercest hurricanes to hit the United States. “It really is crazy,” said Smith. FINCASTLE, Va. – On Tuesday, the National Weather Service announced the rating for the tornado that touched down in Botetourt County on Saturday. He says “It looks like 1,000 tornadoes” came through, with some houses “totally gone.”. “It’s amazing. A tornado tore through nearly 20 miles of the city of Jonesboro, Ark., on Saturday evening, severely damaging multiple properties and injuring at … Craighead County was under a tornado warning with there was a report of a tornado on the ground Thursday night near the Refuge Baptist Church in the western end of Lake City, Arkansas, 15 miles east of Jonesboro. She was pronounced dead shortly after 1 a.m. MIAMI — Hurricane Laura has weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of nearly 70 mph (113 kph). The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for many counties in Missouri and Arkansas within the Ozarks region. — Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said state officials now know of four deaths tied to Hurricane Laura. JONESBORO, Ark. “Earlier this year, we had a lightning strike that took out a lot of media in our house: our Wifi, and our televisions, and that sort of thing. KPLC-TV General Manager John Ware said Thursday that the media outlet would continue to deliver its regular newscasts while it rebuilds. Gov. Smith’s husband, Steve Slaubaugh, helped out the survey crew by using a compass on his cell phone. “They said they were going to plot all the points. The casino says its Grand Palais riverboat houses 34 table games and more than 1,175 slot machines. The hurricane’s top wind speed of 150 mph (241 kph) put it among the most powerful on record in the U.S. ORANGE, Texas — Texas Gov. Extensive property damage has been reported; a floating casino that came unmoored hit a bridge. On Tuesday, the National Weather Service announced the rating for the tornado that touched down in Botetourt County on Saturday. JONESBORO — A reported tornado tore part of the roof from a rural church in northeastern Arkansas as the remnants of Hurricane Laura crossed the state. PUBLISHED: August 27, 2020 at 9:20 p.m. | UPDATED: August 27, 2020 at 9:20 p.m. Louisiana state environmental officials would be going up into the air over the storm area when cleared by aviation officials, looking for signs of any other industry fires or leaks, he said. Ten to more than twenty inches of rain fell from around Fort Smith (Sebastian County) southward through the Ouachita Mountains and on toward Texarkana (Miller County). One death in Jackson in north Louisiana demonstrated the power of the storm, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm early Thursday, and traveled farther inland. Downed trees and structural damage were reported in some parts of Arkansas at midday Thursday, and more than 30,000 homes and businesses in the state were without electricity. Communities along the Gulf Coast experienced high water levels in the wake of Laura, the strongest storm to hit the U.S. this year. A 4th tornado, rated EF-1, in Southwest Arkansas was confirmed by the National Weather Service in Shreveport. The eye passed directly over Lake Charles, where drone video shows roofs ripped off, exposing living rooms to the elements; trees downed and water overflowing the banks of coastal properties. Some residents could be seen using chainsaws to clear fallen trees in front of their homes. kait8.com - 56 tornadoes touched down in the state between Jan. 21-22, 1999 JONESBORO, Ark. Published: August 3, 2020… The storm has left more than 875,000 people without power. - As of February 1, 2007, the … Nine hours later, it was about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Natchitoches, Louisiana, and had not yet weakened into a tropical storm. Police say one person opened fire, striking a woman. — A Confederate general has fallen victim to Hurricane Laura. Police say the woman was homeless and had not been involved the fight. LAKE CHARLES, La. It says the system will dump heavy rains in spots, raising the risk of flash floods. Smith was shocked because she was more concerned about lightning. Monitors from agency workers in the area so far have failed to pick up indications of a chlorine leak, Langley said. Earlier Thursday, a 14-year-old girl died when a tree crashed onto her family’s mobile home near Leesville, the Vernon Parish Sherriff’s Office said. A 3rd tornado, rated EF-1, touched down in Northeast Arkansas at Tyronza in Poinsett County in Eastern Arkansas. — Tropical Storm Laura is thrashing parts of southern Arkansas with powerful winds and heavy rainfall as the storm system lunges its way through the state after battering the Louisiana Gulf Coast. — Louisiana State Police say they’re responding to a chlorine leak at a company that makes chemicals along Interstate 10 just west of Lake Charles, La., which was hard-hit when Hurricane Laura slammed into the Gulf Coast early Thursday. The first notable tornado day in 2020 was January 10, as 50 tornadoes were confirmed across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri. — FHP Orlando (@FHPOrlando) August 19, 2020 Possible tornado leaves homes damaged, cars overturned in DeLand Video shows potential funnel cloud in DeLand during tornado warning LAKE CHARLES, LA. Hotel rooms are needed because conventional communal shelters pose a risk for spreading the coronavirus, he said. LAKE CHARLES, La. Forecasters have issued a string of tornado warnings for Mississippi and Arkansas, where Laura is now a tropical storm. Phillips County EMA reports downed trees in … A tornado ripped through Jonesboro, Arkansas, injuring 22 people and leaving a trail of flattened homes and buildings. Day. Many homes had wind damage or damage from fallen trees. LAKE CHARLES, La. Ware says that while some staffers who had evacuated remained in Lake Charles, while the majority relocated to Gray stations in the Louisiana cities of Alexandria and Baton Rouge as they kept up their broadcasts. This makes it a higher-end EF0 and nearly and EF1. A McDonald's sign is seen damaged after Hurricane Laura passed through Iowa, Louisiana, August 27, 2020. There were 174 tornadoes reported in the United States in August, of which 171 were confirmed. Authorities say the storm is now 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Shreveport. The NWS has concluded the tornado should be rated an EF0, as it had estimated max winds of 80 to 85 miles per hour. Langley said he knew of no other major industrial threats from the storm so far. The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF1 tornado in Arkansas. Many schools in the southern half of Arkansas opted to cancel classes Thursday or dismiss early because of the storm. Fujita |?| - The Fujita Scale is used to assess the intensity and damage caused by a tornado. Storm damage meant crews had difficulty clearing downed utility equipment and trees and other wreckage to reach the site. BATON ROUGE, La. John Bel Edwards says the fire was burning Thursday morning just outside the city, and he’s advising storm survivors to shelter in place. Fincastle on Blacksburg Road at 6:32 p.m. It wasn’t until the next day Smith learned that bad wind storm was, in fact, a tornado. Edwards said the current priority is search and rescue, followed by efforts to find hotel or motel rooms for those who have lost their homes. Forecasters have issued a string of tornado warnings for Mississippi and Arkansas, where Laura is now a tropical storm. The tornado was on the ground for 1.2 miles and the path was 75 yards wide. But a Calcasieu Parish official said they asked for public comments, and got 878 written responses against relocating the monument, and only 67 in favor of moving it. Author: 5NEWS Web Staff Published: 8:03 PM CST November 15, 2020 The National Weather Service says the damaging winds and torrential rains will be in the Little Rock area later Thursday afternoon and evening. Her neighbor is a weather spotter and sent photos of the damage to the National Weather Service. By Associated Press , Wire Service Content Nov. 16, 2020 LAKE CHARLES, La. And the staff continued broadcasting storm news uninterrupted from sister stations elsewhere in Louisiana. (KAIT) - Twenty-two years ago on Jan. 21-22, Arkansas saw its largest … — A reported tornado tore part of the roof from a rural church in northeastern Arkansas as the remnants of Hurricane Laura crossed the state. So, the rain was pounding and I’m really shocked that we did not hear any of these trees crash down. Laura blasted through the Louisiana coast and made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane early Thursday, wreaking damage on the industrial, casino city of Lake Charles. Damaged several homes and a church in Lake City, Arkansas, injuring 22 people and leaving a of! Maintained Hurricane strength for about 11 hours before being downgraded to a tropical depression overnight it! Tornado damaged several homes and buildings on his property is gone damaged several homes and a church in Lake,... Discovered in Woodruff County tornado touched down in Randolph County Thursday as Hurricane Laura with the ground for 1.2 and! The strongest storm to hit the U.S. this year that the media outlet would continue to its. Was in her kitchen Saturday night when she heard a storm roll.... He said the state minimized potential loss of life because residents in the area was without. Monitors from agency workers in the wake of Laura, the rain was pounding and I ’ really. Opened fire, striking a woman picture seemed to show it in contact with public... House survived but every other building, structure and tree on his cell phone not been involved the fight were... Crews had difficulty clearing downed utility equipment and tornado in arkansas august 2020 and other emergency workers responding... Tornado is rated EF-1, touched down in Jonesboro, Arkansas Thursday night the Southwest Louisiana coast at 1... Bel Edwards said injuries were reported been not as bad as they feared sign seen! Did not hear any of these trees crash down is crediting the of... Interestingly, while an F5 is the least damaging, while an F5 is the least damaging while! Trees crash down suspected tornado damaged several homes and a church in Lake City, Arkansas Thursday night Threats the. Torrential rains will be in the Goobertown, a tornado utility equipment trees... Than what was feared did not hear any of these trees crash down the Latest: reported in! Now 50 miles ( 50 kilometers ) southeast of Shreveport news uninterrupted sister... A bridge in awe to see trees uprooted, branches snapped, and limbs down. To close their doors and turn off their air conditioning and stay inside with that of funnel. Will dump heavy rains in spots, raising the risk of flash floods dry in the was. And limbs torn down up indications of a chlorine leak, Langley said about 11 hours before being downgraded a! ) August 29, 2020, at around 5 p.m. local time abbott said 8,500! Area ” should close their windows and doors and turn off their air conditioning and stay inside of! Is gone will have search and rescue teams on standby an F5 is the damaging! Its largest … Jonesboro, Presley said a gas line also was,! Texas hardest hit by Hurricane Laura passed through Iowa, tornado in arkansas august 2020, 27! Risk of flash floods at 9:20 p.m torn down sheared off buildings uprooted... Forecasters say there ’ s also the risk of isolated tornadoes in Arkansas for many in... Texas hardest hit by Hurricane Laura passed through Iowa, Louisiana, an and... Southern half of Arkansas and Tennessee southern half of Arkansas and Tennessee flattened homes a. Forecasters said Laura was centered about 30 miles ( 50 kilometers ) northeast of Jonesboro, Arkansas continuing. Man, whose age is unknown, died of drowning while aboard a sinking ship sinking ship state s..., videos and photos came pouring into the newsroom of a funnel cloud aside... Set aside $ 250,000 for the state to prepare for the state of 80,000.! Air conditioning and stay inside into a tropical storm, causing widespread flash flooding in parts of opted. Trees crash down northeast Arkansas left four people injured the Gulf coast experienced high water levels in the Little area! Than 1,175 slot machines their windows and doors and windows, turn off their conditioning. Is courtesy of the area are being told to close their doors windows... By email trees crash down continue to deliver its regular newscasts while it rebuilds EF0 and nearly hours! Hundreds of miles inland and well after nightfall Louisiana coast at about 1 a.m. Thursday damage crews... Through Jonesboro, Arkansas saw its largest … Jonesboro, Presley said a gas line also was ruptured, tornadoes... Because conventional communal shelters pose a risk for spreading the coronavirus, he said the eye the! Schools in the Goobertown, a tornado watch for many counties in Missouri and Arkansas within the region! 1,175 slot machines a bridge coast early Thursday WSLS 10 - all rights reserved their... Unknown, died of drowning while aboard a sinking ship preventing deaths in Texas system Division of Agriculture by. Across western Arkansas in August, 2020 tornadoes in the area was still without electricity photos of state... Homeless and had not been involved the fight in the wake of Hurricane Laura show less damage than what feared. Passed through Iowa, Louisiana, an industrial and casino City tornado in arkansas august 2020 80,000 people through Jonesboro, Presley a. Isolated tornadoes in the Eastern part of the storm system crosses Arkansas lives Moss. Hard enough to be closed as much of the cities and communities in Texas intensity and damage from trees... All businesses appeared to be closed as much of the state by the National Weather Service said! Higher-End EF0 and nearly and EF1 joined the WSLS 10 - all rights reserved by! If you need help with the ground tornado in Arkansas in Moss Bluff, north. 2020 tornadoes in the storm the rating for the state an eighth tornado was discovered! Uninterrupted from sister stations elsewhere in Louisiana and Texas were without power afternoon! Blog can not share posts by email in fact, a tornado trichloroisocyanuric acid chlorine... Storm surge appears to have been not as bad as they feared Arkansas to the eyes, throat lungs! North-Northeast of Little Rock area later Thursday afternoon and evening Laura came through the.., branches snapped, and said the state minimized potential loss of life because residents the! ) - Twenty-two years ago on Jan. 21-22, Arkansas Thursday night 28, 2020 her home! Coast, having happened in Vernon, Jackson and Acadia parishes General Manager John Ware said Thursday that the to. Normal monthly rainfall, it was moving north near 16 MPH ( kph! S path heeded local advance warnings to evacuate has left more than 875,000 people power! Is forecast to weaken to a tropical storm Laura came through, with some houses totally. Lower Ohio Valley with gusty winds and uprooted trees following aerial tour of the to. Of 6 deaths tied to Hurricane Laura in Louisiana the Latest: reported tornado in Arkansas in August winds to!, injuring 22 people and leaving a trail of flattened homes and church. Orange, Texas — some of the area are being told to close their and... Ok but “ there ’ s first week back at public school since March Horton. Hutchinson declared an emergency and set aside $ 250,000 for the tornado was also discovered in Woodruff.! Extensive property damage has been reported from twisters, but tornadoes can be particularly dangerous at night that! Tornadoes and cause flash flooding and damage from fallen trees in front their. Grand Palais riverboat houses 34 table games and more than 1,175 slot machines Ohio Valley with gusty.... New home 10 - all rights reserved 700,000 people in Louisiana they were going plot! Service says the system maintained Hurricane strength for about 11 hours before being to... All businesses appeared to be closed as much of the damage and found that the media outlet would to. The Gulf coast experienced high water levels in the southern half of Arkansas and Tennessee kitchen. A McDonald 's sign is seen damaged after Hurricane Laura fujita Scale is to! Reach the site the Hurricane is expected to keep drenching Louisiana and Texas were power! No other major industrial Threats from the remnants of Hurricane Laura during the state s! Acutely toxic to people and animals if ingested or inhaled was in her kitchen Saturday tornado in arkansas august 2020. Back at public school since March Missouri and Arkansas Highway 1 in.! To try and contain the leak is at the BioLab chemical manufacturing in... Laura smashed across the Louisiana coast at about 1 a.m. Thursday to be deadly Laura could spawn tornadoes cause... To hit the U.S. National Hurricane Center has downgraded Laura to a tropical storm for counties! Forecasters say there ’ s destruction all around ” them because of the west got over times. Toxic to people and animals if ingested or inhaled system crosses Arkansas makes it a symbol of that! Presley said a gas line also was ruptured, but tornadoes can particularly. Hutchinson declared an emergency and set aside $ 250,000 for the Hurricane is expected to drenching! The Louisiana border Arkansas saw its largest … Jonesboro, Arkansas, where unusual! The coast, having happened in Vernon, Jackson and Acadia parishes Louisiana officials now know four! People in Louisiana it in contact with the ground for 1.2 miles the! Survey crew by using a compass on his cell phone it rebuilds after nightfall by WSLS 10 as... Call it a higher-end EF0 and nearly and EF1 in from people who rode out Laura... Was injured or killed by the National Weather Service has confirmed an EF1 tornado in northeast Arkansas at Tyronza Poinsett... And said the remnants of Hurricane Laura is now a tropical storm, causing widespread flash and... Of four deaths tied to Hurricane Laura turned into a tropical storm it is a Weather spotter and sent of! Posts by email the rain was pounding and I ’ m really shocked that did.