EL DORADO – The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado watch effective from 3:50 p.m. until midnight CDT for several counties in southern Arkansas, northern Louisiana, and northeast Texas. In Arkansas, the watch includes Union, Columbia, Hempstead and Miller counties; in Louisiana, it covers Claiborne, Union, and Webster parishes; and in Texas, it encompasses Cass, Marion, and Harrison counties.

Forecasters indicate that conditions are favorable for a few tornadoes, with the possibility of some being intense. Scattered damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph are likely, and large hail, potentially up to 2 inches in diameter, could accompany the most severe storms.

This alert is part of a broader severe weather system affecting the Midwest and South. The National Weather Service has warned of potentially deadly flash flooding, large tornadoes, and significant hail in parts of the region. An intense storm system is expected to create hazardous conditions from Wednesday through Saturday, with historically significant rainfall totaling more than a foot in some areas. Northeastern Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois and Indiana are at particularly high risk, with up to 15 inches of rain anticipated, according to the Associated Press.

As the threat of severe weather looms, officials are urging residents to review safety procedures in the event a tornado warning is issued. Here are five important tips to remember:

Advertisement

— Take shelter immediately in a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.
— Avoid mobile homes and vehicles, which offer little protection from tornadoes.
— Have a weather radio or mobile alerts enabled to receive real-time emergency updates.
— Keep a disaster supply kit with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and first-aid supplies.
— Do not attempt to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. If caught outdoors, find a low-lying area such as a ditch and lie flat, covering your head.

In response to the severe weather threat, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a state of emergency and released $250,000 from the Governor’s Disaster Response and Recovery Fund to assist areas expected to be impacted by the storms.

Residents in the affected areas should remain vigilant, monitor local news outlets and weather services for updates, and be prepared to act quickly if conditions worsen. A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.

In the event of a tornado warned storm, SouthArkansasNow.Com will activate its’ emergency live feeds on Facebook and our website as Grant Merrill, Sandy Sanford, and Jax Sanford will be providing wall to wall coverage both in studio and in the field.

Advertisement

EL DORADO – If you are able to get Washington Middle School Principal Bethanie Hale to stop long enough, you get to see a beautiful smile from ear to ear as she watches her students, their siblings, parents and grandparents participating in the Washington Middle School Family Fun Night. Hundreds of students and their families came out to enjoy games, free food, a photo booth, face painting and the opportunity to meld together as a community. This year’s event was all baseball themed and the students we talked to definitely called the event, “A Home Run.”

Hale, a graduate of El Dorado School District, is in her fifth year as the Principal at Washington. Previously, she had held the same position at Rhetta Brown Elementary. Besides overseeing the event, Hale watched with pride as the staff of the school took the reins and put on a near flawless event. In addition to her staff, students from the area who need “community service hours” for their clubs and classrooms were on hand as well. Hale took a few minutes to give us the rundown of the events and thanked the South Arkansas College Stars baseball players who came out to help as well. 

UP NEXT:

Advertisement

• April 17th, Family Feast on the Field. This event is designed where the parents of students can come and eat lunch, picnic style with their 5th or 6th grader. 

For more information or to follow Washington Middle School on Instagram, click here.

Photo: The El Dorado Self Culture Club, 1906

EL DORADO – The El Dorado and Union County Chamber of Commerce, local business leaders and patrons of the Barton Library gathered to celebrate the 110 years of continuous service this week. The event, Business After Hours, was well attended and much of the library’s history was covered, including the origins dating back to April 1st, 1915. The original library was opened in a room on the square, loaned to the library by R.N. Garrett and was formed by the ladies of the El Dorado Self Culture Club. 

The City’s first librarian was Miss Adelle Lawerence and she was paid $125 per month (about $3000 per month in today’s dollars). In 1940, the Union County Library was formed and housed in the first floor of the Union County Courthouse with Mrs. Morene D. Smith as the first librarian for the county’s facility. 

April 1st, 1958, the Barton Public Library was opened in a building and on land donated by Colonel Thomas Barton and family, with the agreement that both the El Dorado and Union County Libraries would merge and operate as the newly formed Barton Public Library. Today, the Barton Public Library is part of the Union County Public Library System which has six branches: El Dorado, Smackover, Norphlet, Huttig, Junction City, and Strong. 

Advertisement

COMING SOON

• Bookmark Design Contest – Students are encouraged to come to the library and get their sheet, design and bookmark and turn it back into the library by 5:00 P.M. on Saturday April 12th. 
• On Saturday, April 12th, the El Dorado Service League will host a “Story Time” event at 2:00 P.M. with birthday themed stories, crafts and snacks.
• Friday, April 18th, with kids out of school for Good Friday, Barton Library will host Spring STEM Day with children of all ages invited to activities in the Youth Services room. The fun begins at 10:00 A.M. and goes until 6:00 P.M. with parents and children invited to come and go. 
• May 8th, 9th, and 10th is the Friends of Barton Library Book Sale with books for $1 each or fill a bag for $5. Thursday the 8th and Friday the 9th, the hours are 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. and Saturday the 10th, 11 A.M. until 3 P.M.
• COLOR OUR WORLD – The Summer Reading program is designed to promote lifelong learning and runs June 9th – July 17th every Tuesday and Thursday with each event having a themed learning component, arts & crafts and snacks.

For More Information on the events at the Barton Public Library or any of the branch libraries in the county, click here.

Advertisement

LITTLE ROCK – A powerful storm system moving into the region Wednesday is expected to bring widespread severe weather to Arkansas, with the strongest storms capable of producing tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. A moderate to high risk for severe weather has been issued for a large portion of the state, signaling the potential for dangerous conditions.

All modes of severe weather, including long-track tornadoes, destructive winds, and very large hail, are possible throughout the day and into the night. The National Weather Service warns that significant severe weather is likely in areas highlighted within the hatched zones of its latest forecast.

South Arkansas has been placed under a slight risk for excessive rainfall, adding to the potential hazards as storms move through the region. Flash flooding could become an issue in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Residents of Owasso, Oklahoma woke up to a destructive tornado that destroyed homes in an affluent neighborhood of the city. (PHOTO: Fox 23)

The storm system has already produced severe weather in the Plains. Late Tuesday night, tornadoes were reported in central Kansas, and early Wednesday morning, a destructive tornado struck Owasso, Oklahoma, a northern suburb of Tulsa. Several homes along the Bailey Ranch Golf Club were destroyed.

Residents across Arkansas are urged to stay weather-aware, have multiple ways to receive warnings, and take shelter immediately if a warning is issued.

Advertisement

Tornado Safety Tips

If your area is placed under a tornado warning, follow these safety tips:

1. Take shelter immediately – Move to a small, windowless interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.

2. Avoid windows and doors – Flying debris can be deadly; stay away from glass and exterior walls.

3. Get underground if possible – A basement or storm shelter offers the best protection.

4. Use a helmet or heavy blankets – Protect your head and neck from flying debris.

5. Have multiple ways to receive alerts – Use weather radios, mobile apps, and local news sources.

6. Avoid mobile homes and vehicles – If caught outside, find the nearest sturdy shelter immediately.

7. Lie flat in a ditch if no shelter is available – As a last resort, find a low-lying area and cover your head.

8. Do not try to outrun a tornado in a car – If a tornado is near, seek a safe structure or abandon your vehicle and find low ground.

9. Keep emergency supplies nearby – Have flashlights, water, batteries, and a whistle for rescue efforts.

10. Stay informed after the storm – Be cautious of downed power lines, gas leaks, and unstable structures.

EL DORADO – Union County Judge Mike Loftin has lifted the burn ban that was previously in effect for the county after a stretch of dry conditions led to an increased risk of wildfires.

The burn ban, which had been implemented due to prolonged dry weather, was officially rescinded this week after the county received sufficient rainfall. Loftin said officials had been monitoring the situation closely and determined that conditions had improved enough to safely allow outdoor burning again.

During the time the burn ban was in place, several wildfires broke out across South Arkansas, including multiple fires in Union County near Smackover and Wesson. Firefighters worked tirelessly to contain these blazes, which threatened homes and wooded areas. The combination of dry vegetation, wind, and high temperatures made conditions ideal for fires to spread rapidly.

Union County was not alone in dealing with wildfire concerns, as other parts of South Arkansas also faced increased fire risks due to the lack of rainfall. Several counties issued similar burn bans in an effort to prevent fires from starting and spreading.

Advertisement

Although the recent rain has helped alleviate the immediate fire danger, officials are reminding residents to remain vigilant when conducting any outdoor burning. Safe burning practices include keeping a water source nearby, never leaving a fire unattended, and avoiding burning on windy days.

For updates on burn bans and fire safety recommendations, residents are encouraged to check with the Union County Office of Emergency Management or the Arkansas Forestry Division.