WEEKEND TORNADO RESULTS IN ONE DEATH IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
One death has been reported following three combined tornados in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas over the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, Saturday night an EF2 tornado, with estimated winds of up to 115 miles per hour, began just southwest of Knobel, Arkansas, before traveling into Southeast Missouri and ending at Malden.
Clay County Sheriff Terry Miller tells KWOC News that the tornado caused one fatality, 83 year old Albert Foster, of Knobel.
Several people were injured and a number of homes received major damage, primarily in Malden.
In New Madrid County, an EF2 tornado, with estimated peak winds of 120 miles per hour, caused damage in the Matthews area. Numerous buildings were destroyed and dozens of homes had roofs partially or completely torn off. Officials say that a few injuries occurred due to windows being blown out of a rest home.
In Mississippi County, Arkansas, an EF1 tornado began southwest of Keiser and traveled towards the northeast before ending near Osceola.
The tornado had estimated winds of up to 90 miles per hour and damaged many homes and buildings in Keiser. One minor injury was reported near the end of the tornado.
RED CROSS SHELTER SET UP IN MALDEN
A Red Cross shelter has been set up in Malden following this past weekend’s storms.
The shelter is located at the Malden Community Center on Douglas Street.
Anyone wanting to volunteer or donate food or blankets can visit the Community Center for more information.
MANY ROADS STILL FLOODED FOLLOWING WEEKEND STORMS
Continued raining over the past week, in addition to flash flooding on Saturday, has resulted in numerous roads being closed in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
According to the National Weather Service, a total of 7.46 inches of rainfall was recorded in eastern Scott County over a five day period last week. Over the same period, 7.15 inches of rain was recorded in Southern Stoddard County and Poplar Bluff received 7.05 inches of rain.
Flood warnings are still in effect for areas surrounding portions of Black, Current, Mississippi, and St. Francis rivers in Southeast Missouri.
According to MoDOT, there are several flooded roads in Southeast Missouri, especially in Ripley and Southern Butler County. Road closures are also being reported in Stoddard, Wayne and Bollinger Counties, among others.
According to ArDOT, State Highway 166 near Pocahontas was closed this morning due to high water.
You can check road conditions in your area by going to modot.org for Southeast Missouri or IDriveArkansas.com for Northeast Arkansas.
Motorists are being strongly urged to stay away from flooded roadways and low lying areas over the next few days.
POCAHONTAS MAN KILLED IN WRECK ON FLOODED ROAD
A man has died following a wreck over the weekend in Northeast Arkansas.
According to the Arkansas State Police, 57 year old Jeffrey Richardson, of Pocahontas, was driving on State Highway 226, in Jackson County, Sunday night when he lost control after approaching a flooded section of the road.
Richardson’s vehicle travelled into a ditch, where it overturned and hit a utility pole.
Officials say that Richardson was killed in the wreck
ONE KILLED IN CLAY COUNTY SHOOTING
Updating a story we brought to you last week, a Rector man has died in connection to a shooting incident in Northeast Arkansas.
According to Clay County Sheriff Terry Miller, shortly after 8 pm Thursday night, Clay County 911 received a call regarding a possible shooting that occurred on LaSalle Street in Rector.
Officers found a deceased white male inside the residence, who has been identified as 40 year old Jeffery Baker.
Miller says that a person of interest has been interviewed regarding the incident and the Arkansas State Police are continuing with the investigation.
MISSING AUTISTIC TEENAGER FOUND SAFE IN WASHINGTON
A missing autistic girl from Blytheville has been found safe in Washington.
According to the Pierce County, Washington Sheriff’s Department, last week they received a request for assistance from detectives with the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department in Northeast Arkansas about the disappearance of 18 year old Ashton Talley.
She was discovered missing from her home in the Blytheville area on Saturday, February 17th. Mississippi County detectives were able to determine that the victim had been contacted online by a 50 year old man from the Eatonville, Washington area, who reportedly has tried to befriend over 8000 other children via social media.
The male suspect reportedly flew from Washington to Tennessee with an adult female companion and then drove to the victim’s residence where they lured or abducted her. The suspects then drove the victim to Washington State.
The victim was located safe inside an Eatonville residence by Pierce County authorities. Arrest warrants have been obtained for the 50 year old male and his 28 year old female companion for kidnapping of an incompetent person.
The male and female suspects were booked into the Pierce County Jail, awaiting extradition to Arkansas. The victim has been flown back to Arkansas and reunited with her family.
NEW MADRID COUNTY ROAD TO BE CLOSED THROUGH THE END OF MAY
Route B in New Madrid County will be closed through the end of May as contractor crews perform bridge replacement.
According to MoDOT, the section of roadway that has been closed is located between Route 162 and Route PP.
The bridge was scheduled to close at 6 am this morning and will re-open at 5 pm on Thursday, May 31st.
