Tornado watch issued for portions of east, southeastern Arkansas

This graphic from the National Weather Service highlights which parts of the state are expected to see severe weather on Wednesday. (National Weather Service/Twitter)
This graphic from the National Weather Service highlights which parts of the state are expected to see severe weather on Wednesday. (National Weather Service/Twitter)

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for portions of east and southeastern Arkansas.

The watch is in effect until 9 p.m., the weather service said in a tweet Wednesday afternoon. 

A few tornadoes are likely, along with hail as big as a ping pong ball and scattered wind gusts up to 70 mph, the weather service said. 

Much of the state had been at a slight risk for severe weather, including flash flooding, since early Wednesday, according the weather service.

And three flash flood warnings have been issued.

One warning, issued earlier on Wednesday, ends at 3:40 p.m. and is for an area that includes Conway, Russellville and Hot Springs.

Another warning that includes Mountain View, Cave City and Melbourne is in effect until 5:30 p.m., the weather service said in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon.

The third warning, for an area that includes Searcy, Batesville and Beebe, is in effect until 6:20 p.m.

Earlier in the day, the weather service said damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are the primary threats. Their briefing also said there would be a lesser threat of severe hail. 

Jeff Hood, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in North Little Rock, said severe weather could begin in the state around 2 to 3 p.m. and finish around 10 p.m. 

“We could experience wind as strong as 20 mph and gusts that are up to 30 or 40 mph,” Hood said Wednesday morning. 

The weather service has also issued a flood watch that includes all of western and northern Arkansas as well as much of the central and northeastern portions of the state.

The weather service noted in a tweet that several creeks and area rivers were flooded across western Arkansas Wednesday morning, after more than 3 inches of rain fell. 

Hot Springs officials announced Wednesday morning that the weekly emergency siren test scheduled for noon would be cancelled due to severe weather.

The national weather service's briefing warned that rain would be heavy at times and warned of a continued threat for flash flooding, mainly over the northwestern half of the state.

Hood said the threat for flash floods will become more severe as storms continue into the afternoon.

Rainfall amounts could be around 5 inches, or more in localized areas, the weather service said. 

Hood said western Arkansas had already seen several inches of rain and can expect that to continued through the afternoon and evening.

The weather service predicts that Little Rock will see 2 to 3 inches of rain.

Hood said Little Rock may also see strong storms, adding that this possibility is included in the slight risk area for severe weather. 

A slight risk for a severe thunderstorm is defined by forecasters as a chance for short-lived but not widespread storms that have the potential to be intense, according to a tweet from the weather service. 

Most of the rain will be gone before daybreak on Thursday, forecasters said. 

“Even if you don’t see flooding or flash flooding or a thunderstorm, you will definitely feel the wind. People should be cautious and prepare for that,” Hood said. 

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