Storms cause death, damage

One man killed near Rogers; Benton County sees tornado

BENTONVILLE — A Benton County man died early Monday when a tree fell on his home during strong storms that officials said produced a tornado in the western part of the county.

County Coroner Daniel Oxford said his office was called to the residence on Pleasant Ridge Road east of the Rogers city limits at 1:01 a.m. Monday. Oxford said a large oak tree fell on the home, and the ceiling collapsed. Oxford said the man was found beside a couch in what appeared to be the living room.

Authorities said severe thunderstorms were responsible for the deaths of at least three people west of Fort Smith in Oklahoma. In northeastern Arkansas, an EF-1 tornado injured at least five people in Tyronza.

Benton County Judge Barry Moehring signed an emergency declaration Monday, citing the severity and broad damage from the storm.

“Given the property damage I’ve seen from touring the impacted areas, I believe a declaration is appropriate,” Moehring said. “If the monetary damages of the storm are significant enough, then we’ll be able to receive additional assistance for repairs.”

Moehring’s declaration allows Benton County and affected cities to request assistance from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management for uninsured public sector damages attributed to the storm to repair structures to pre-disaster conditions.

The National Weather Service confirmed the damage was attributed to at least one tornado and straightline winds, said Robert McGowen, the county’s public safety administrator.

Moehring and McGowen spoke Monday at an afternoon press conference.

Moehring said nearly 80 roads were closed in unincorporated Benton County

NWA Democrat-Gazette/DAVID GOTTSCHALK Personnel (above photo) survey damage at Cold Stone Creamery in Rogers on Monday after heavy thunderstorms overnight. (Left photo) Mark Smittle of Cave Springs looks at damage from a downed tree in his laundry room Monday at his home near Shores Avenue and Bright Street in Cave Springs. The Smittles have filed an insurance claim and are waiting for a tree company to remove the toppled tree from their roof. Nearly all of the trees on their property were taken down and their barn displaced from its foundation from the storm late Sunday night.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO