National Weather Service says Hot Springs hit by EF-2 tornado overnight

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Officials with the National Weather Service said the tornado that tore through Hot Springs overnight was an EF-2.

According to an NWS update reported just after 1 p.m. Wednesday, the preliminary assessment of the damage seen in the southeast part of the city is consistent with a twister rated as having low-end EF-2 intensity.

NWS officials confirmed that earlier assessment of an EF-2 rating with the Arkansas Storm Team around 4:30 p.m.

Severe weather slams parts of central Arkansas overnight

A tornado with an EF-2 rating would be considered “strong” and have gusts of winds ranging from 111-135 miles per hour.

The NWS issued a tornado warning for parts of Garland County just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday that later expanded into Hot Spring and Saline Counties.

  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
    Images of damage near Shady Heights Road and Catherine Heights Road in Hot Springs from Jessica LeAnn Johnson
  • Drone video from Hot Springs from Nick Gentry with the Arkansas Dept. of Public Safety
    Drone video from Hot Springs from Nick Gentry with the Arkansas Dept. of Public Safety
  • Drone video from Hot Springs from Nick Gentry with the Arkansas Dept. of Public Safety
    Drone video from Hot Springs from Nick Gentry with the Arkansas Dept. of Public Safety

As of mid-Wednesday, no cases of serious injuries had been reported in connection with this round of severe weather.

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