Storms threaten westside region

storms produce wind, hail, heavy rains and some flooding

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

— Tornado sirens sounded and warnings were issued across western Benton County Sunday evening as strong thunderstorms - some with rotation and funnel clouds sighted - moved slowly across the region.

While huge thunderstorms made their way across the very northwestern part of thecounty, another storm caused damage in Oklahoma and was traveling straight toward Gentry until, at the last minute after it dropped marble-sized and larger hail, it skirted the city to the north.

After the first storm passed, another strong storm developed over the Gentry-Springtown area and moved slowly toward Highfill and the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport there. While injuries were reported in Oklahoma and numerous injuries and deaths to the north in Missouri, no such reports were received in western Benton County.

Thundershowers continued to be the rule of the day on Monday, with some showers extremely heavy and causing localized flooding. Rainfall amounts on Monday were near four inches.

More rain and thunderstorms, some possibly severe, were in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, with the first real promise of extended periods of sunshine being on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

News, Pages 1 on 05/25/2011