FORT SMITH - A municipal water facility in Southern Sebastian County sustained damage Sunday night at a tornado warned thunderstorm moved through the area. Arkansas State Police Troop H reported that the water plant in Huntington sustained damage shortly after the Tornado Warning was issued for Sebastian and Franklin Counties around 7:00 PM.
Spotters also told the National Weather Service that a barn was destroyed in the Dayton community along State Highway 252.
Southwestern Electric Power Company announced that over 1,300 customers were without power. Ozarks Electric Cooperative says that 500 customers in Crawford, Franklin, Washington, and Madison Counties were without service as well.
As the storm moved through Franklin County, residents of Charleston and nearby Peter Pender were instructed to take cover, although no touchdown was ever confirmed. A funnel cloud was spotted by the Arkansas Storm Chasers near the Ratcliff community.
A Tornado Watch was issued for much of Arkansas, while more warnings were issued just after 10:00 PM for counties in extreme Southwest Arkansas.
