UPDATE: Possible tornado hits Springdale as storm system heads through state

UPDATE, 1:30 p.m. from The Associated Press: 

7 hurt in NW Arkansas storm

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says search and rescue teams have been deployed after a likely tornado hit the adjoining towns of Springdale and Johnson.

Officials say seven people were injured. No deaths have been reported from overnight storms.

Damage was extensive in Springdale, including to an elementary school gymnasium and a warehouse.

In Missouri, a weak tornado struck St. Joseph.

Twisters and hurricane-force winds are forecast in much of the Deep South on Wednesday. A tornado watch was issued for most of Arkansas, northern Louisiana, southern Missouri, southeastern Oklahoma, and northeast Texas.

The Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma says Mississippi and parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee are at greatest risk for severe weather.

UPDATE, 9:20 a.m.: KNWA is now reporting seven people have been injured from this morning’s storms in Springdale.

Watch NewsNation Now’s Aaron Nolan reporting from Springdale.

Severe storms and a possible tornado damaged buildings and downed power lines in northwest Arkansas as tornadoes and hurricane-force winds were forecast in much of the Deep South. There were no immediate reports of injuries from Wednesday morning’s storms that hit Springdale in the 4 a.m. hour.

Northwest Arkansas television station KNWA reports there are over 8,000 people without power in the Springdale and north Fayetteville area. Springdale officials told KURM radio in Rogers that a school gym appeared to sustain heavy damage from the storm. 

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, says all of Mississippi and parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee were at the greatest risk for severe weather Wednesday. The worst weather was expected in the afternoon. A tornado watch was issued for most of Arkansas, northern Louisiana, southern Missouri, southeastern Oklahoma, and northeast Texas through early Wednesday afternoon.

From Associated Press and White River Now

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Wednesday will be a day to keep watch on the weather.

The National Weather Service at North Little Rock has issued a Wind Advisory in effect from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. tomorrow as a strong storm system begins to move across Arkansas.

Winds of up to 25 mph with 40 mph gusts are expected for much of the state. The weather service says the gusts will create extremely hazardous travel for high-profile vehicles and will also create dangerous boating conditions. Downed trees and limbs may result in localized power outages. And, outdoor possessions should also be secured or brought inside if possible.

Widespread showers and thunderstorms will be moving into the state late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, and the system should be out of the state by Wednesday evening.

The forecast calls for one to two inches of rain in most areas, with isolated heavier amounts possible that could cause localized flash flooding issues.