Harrison, Arkansas – Damaging thunderstorms could sweep across northern Arkansas before 9 p.m. Wednesday, bringing wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail large enough to damage vehicles and roofs.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 11 remains in effect until 9 p.m. CST Wednesday for 14 counties across the Ozarks and north-central Arkansas. Counties under the watch include Baxter, Boone, Fulton, Izard, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Newton, Pope, Randolph, Searcy, Sharp, Stone and Van Buren.
Storms may intensify quickly during the late afternoon and evening hours, especially along U.S. Highway 65 through Harrison and Marshall, and along U.S. 412 near Mountain Home. Brief torrential rainfall could lower visibility to less than a mile and cause water to pond on rural roads and low-water crossings.
Residents in communities such as Russellville, Mountain Home and Yellville should secure outdoor furniture, park vehicles in garages if possible and charge mobile devices in case isolated outages develop.
The watch means conditions support severe storms. Warnings could be issued with little notice through the evening as cells strengthen.
