Texarkana, Arkansas – Damaging winds are expected to hit southwest Arkansas hard Sunday evening before temperatures plunge below freezing overnight, raising the risk of power outages, fallen trees and cold-weather damage by Monday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, a High Wind Warning remains in effect until 9 p.m. Sunday for Sevier, Howard, Little River, Hempstead and Miller counties, with northwest winds of 40 to 50 mph and gusts as high as 65 mph. A Freeze Warning follows from midnight through 9 a.m. Monday, when lows could drop to 27 degrees across the region.
The statewide concern starts with wind damage, especially in communities such as Texarkana, Hope, Nashville, Ashdown and De Queen. Strong gusts could bring down tree limbs and power lines, leading to scattered to widespread outages. Travel may also become dangerous on exposed roads, particularly for drivers in trucks, vans and other high-profile vehicles. Loose outdoor furniture, trash bins and lightweight equipment could be blown into roads or damaged.
By late night, the focus will shift to the cold. Sensitive spring vegetation and unprotected pipes will be at risk once temperatures fall below freezing. Residents should secure loose outdoor items before sunset, charge phones and flashlights in case of outages, and cover or bring inside tender plants. Outdoor faucets and exposed plumbing should also be wrapped or insulated before midnight.
Conditions should improve after sunrise Monday, but more advisories may be issued if outages or lingering cold continue into the morning.
