LITTLE ROCK, AR – Cleanup from early morning storms that left damage in Ouachita County is getting under way.
Governor Mike Beebe has authorized the Arkansas National Guard to help with security and traffic control as crews restore power there.
The Camden area was hard-hit by the severe weather that left extensive damage at Camden Fairview High School and in other parts of the city.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is sending storm surveyors to the area today.
NWS Forecaster John Robinson says he suspects “this is thunderstorm wind damage caused by a bow echo and not a tornado.”
A second NWS storm survey team is going to check some of the areas that were under tornado warnings in northern Arkansas last night. The NWS says it did not have any damage reports from there (other than hail), but the places under the warnings are in very rural areas.
The National Guard issued the following news release about the mission:
ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, AR (News release) – The Arkansas National Guard received requests for support Friday from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management after severe weather passed through Camden, Ark.
The storm caused damages and widespread power outages throughout the city.
Guardsmen in Camden were called upon to assist their hometown during the emergency.
The mission calls for nineteen personnel with six High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) to assist local authorities with security and traffic control.
Troop C, 1st Squadron, 151st Cavalry of the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, is located at Camden and will be assisting in this mission.
Although the duration of the mission is unknown at this time; the Guard remains ready to respond if an additional need should arise.
