A tornado warning was issued for residents of Fort Smith and surrounding areas of Sebastian County at 7:49 p.m. Central Time.
A severe thunderstorm is moving northwest at 15 mph over Excelsior, Arkansas, with strong low-level rotation that could form a tornado, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
A tornado warning is in effect until 8:30 PM CDT.
Read more: Will there be a tornado in the Chicago area today? Illinois under NWS alert until evening
What does the latest radar show?
Fort Smith, Greenwood, Baring, Hackett, Excelsior, Fort Smith Regional Airport, Bourneville, Jenny Lind, Mill Creek and Rye Mountain may be affected. This location also includes Interstate 540 between mile markers 6 and 13.
What should Sebastian County residents know?
Emergency officials advised residents in warning areas to move to the lowest floors of sturdy structures immediately. Mobile homes, vehicles and temporary structures offer little protection during a tornado. Outdoorsmen are urged to seek adequate shelter and seek cover.
Weather officials continue to closely monitor radar data and said additional warnings may be issued if the storm intensifies or new areas are threatened.
For now, as severe weather sweeps across western Arkansas, the focus remains on monitoring radar trends and ensuring public safety.
Officials stressed that the rotation shown on the radar posed enough of a risk to warrant a warning and an urgent call for residents to seek shelter, regardless of whether the tornado ultimately made landfall.
