Benton County Arkansas Officials storm update

BENTON COUNTY, Ark. (KOAM) — Authorities in NWA including Bentonville are speaking this morning their area was hit hard by storms overnight. There is at least one fatality.

There are currently countless without power and recovery efforts are hampered by downed power lines that are still charged. At least 10,000 without power in Bentonville alone, a town of 55,000 people, 50 minutes south of Joplin on I-49.

“One fatality was confirmed on the east side of the county; multiple injuries have been reported.”

The Benton County Government held a 7:30 a.m. press conference and they are waiting to hear from Red Cross on a shelter.

The press conference was held on the square and behind them the Benton County Courthouse suffered damage. The worst area in Bentonville they say is along Walnut Ave near 24th .

• Other areas of the county damaged:
• Rogers along Walnut Ave near 24th, the area is closed to all traffic
• Gentry
• Decatur
• Rocky Branch

US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS RELEASE STATEMENT CLOSING SOME AREAS

"We are asking people to avoid Prairie Creek , Horseshoe Bend , and Rocky Branch campsites and day-use areas on Beaver Lake near Rogers, Arkansas . Last night’s storm downed hundreds of trees that are blocking access in and out of the parks. Work crews and first responders are onsite helping those impacted. The Benton County Emergency Operations Center is activating and coordinating the response."

RESIDENTS can report structural storm damage via the pinned link on our website: bentoncountyar.gov

VIEW the roads closed in Benton County via the pinned link on our website: bentoncountyar.gov

This is a breaking news story, watch for updates here on KOAM News Now.

5 TORNADOES TRACKED ACROSS THE OKLAHOMA TO ARKANSAS REGION OVERNIGHT CLICK THE LINK TO VIEW ACTIVE MAP OVER PAST 48 HOURS

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF (FAYETTEVILLE, ARK) RESPOND TO ASSIST IN NEIGHBORING BENTON COUNTY AT DECATUR