Tornado in Ark.; snowfall in Midwest

The Associated Press ORANGE ICE COCOON: Oranges are encrusted in a cocoon of ice as citrus grower John Kirkland of Troy S. Bronson Partnership protected their trees from the sub freezing temperatures by spraying water on them, Thursday in Apopka, Fla.
The Associated Press ORANGE ICE COCOON: Oranges are encrusted in a cocoon of ice as citrus grower John Kirkland of Troy S. Bronson Partnership protected their trees from the sub freezing temperatures by spraying water on them, Thursday in Apopka, Fla.

Strong storms that raked Arkansas included one tornado that took the roof off a church in Faulkner County and another that damaged a water plant south of Fort Smith.

National Weather Service offices said Monday that a tornado with winds around 100 mph hit east of Springhill, just north of Conway, and damaged other buildings, trees and power lines. A weaker storm, with winds about 90 mph, hit at Huntington, south of Fort Smith. It damaged trees and destroyed a shed at the local water plant.

Both Sunday night twisters were rated "EF1" on a six-level scale of tornado damage.

A number of homes and businesses lost power during the storms. Jefferson County had 1,770 outages while Mississippi County had over 1,300.

There are no immediate reports of injuries.

•••

Heavy snow and strong winds are pushing through the Midwest, closing highways in Kansas and South Dakota and snarling flights in Denver and Minneapolis.

The National Weather Service says more than 10 inches (26 centimeters) of snow has already fallen on North Platte in western Nebraska. In southern Minnesota, the storm dumped 9 inches (22 centimeters) on Owatonna by midday Monday. Dozens of school districts in Minnesota canceled classes.

Weather service meteorologist Bill Borghoff in Minnesota says the storm started brewing Saturday night over Nebraska and spread to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Transportation officials advised against traveling in southwest Minnesota due to whiteout conditions.

Officials say about 190 flights have been canceled at Denver International Airport. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport reports more than 100 cancellations.

•••

A winter storm has brought near blizzard conditions to much of Nebraska.

The National Weather Service says more than 10 inches (26 centimeters) has already fallen on North Platte in western Nebraska, and near zero visibility has been reported near Cambridge.

Weather service meteorologist Aaron Mangels said snow started to fall on Hastings in south-central Nebraska around 5:30 a.m., and he expected 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 centimeters) to accumulate by the storm's exit around 3 p.m.

The Nebraska Transportation Department websites shows around three-quarters of the state's roads are covered with snow. A section of Nebraska Highway 2 from Dunning to Ansley was listed as impassable, with whiteout conditions.

The storm forced closure of the Woodbury County Courthouse in Sioux City, Iowa.

----

HOBERG, Mo. -- The National Weather Service says a small tornado damaged trees and outbuildings in Lawrence County.

The damage was reported Sunday night about 2 miles southeast of Hoberg, near Mt. Vernon.

On Monday, survey teams from the weather service went to the area and concluded the damage was caused by an EF-1 tornado.

An EF-1 carries winds between 86 and 110 mph.

OzarksFirst reports the tornado's path was 1 mile long and about 75 yards wide. The survey team found damage to four outbuildings, an irrigation system, two ski boats and several trees. No injuries were reported.

•••

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- South Dakota transportation and public safety officials are closing north and southbound lanes of Interstate 29 from around Sioux Falls south to the Iowa border because heavy snow and strong winds are making travel nearly impossible.

The Department of Transportation says numerous vehicles, including jackknifed semis, are stuck along the interstate, which is closed from Tea south to Iowa.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard ordered all state offices in three southeast South Dakota counties closed Monday because of the winter storm. State offices are closed in Clay, Union and Yankton counties. Daugaard's office says Human Services Center employees and essential personnel from other state government agencies in those counties should report to work.

National on 01/23/2018

Upcoming Events