Tornado Hits Arkansas Cities, Causes Multiple Fatalities and Widespread Damage

A massive tornado Sunday night has caused multiple fatalities and severe damage in several Arkansas cities, including Mayflower and Vilonia.

According to authorities, a "mass casualty situation" is occurring in Vilonia, and at least a dozen ambulances were requested to assist in transporting the injured to hospitals. Meanwhile, the Faulkner County sheriff's office said at least six people are dead and the Pulaski County sheriff's office confirmed around 9:30 p.m. that three people are dead in the Kanis Road area. 

Several people were taken to Conway Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

The governor's office reported it is coordinating disaster response and cleanup efforts with the Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas National Guard and the state Forestry Commission. 

The National Weather Service reported that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission headquarters east of Mayflower has been heavily damaged and houses have been badly damaged south of Mayflower and some destroyed in Saltillo.

State police have received reports of multiple houses damaged on Highway 10 west of Little Rock and 18-wheelers overturned on I-40 near Lake Conway. Damage has been confirmed in the Ferndale, Morgan and Maumelle areas.

Arkansas highway officials shut down Interstate 40 in Faulkner County for a while because of heavy debris crossing the roadway.

A number of Arkansans were without power Sunday night. Entergy Arkansas reported that 11,669 customers were without power, with more than 8,100 of those in Faulkner County.  The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas reported about 10,000 people were without power in north Pulaski County and north-central Arkansas. Crews were working to restore power, the utility said.