Tornado strikes Arkansas nursing home with residents still inside, leaving at least one dead, multiple injured, and dozens trapped
- Region 8 News reported at least eight tornadoes on Friday throughout northeastern Arkansas.
- A tornado collapsed the roof of a skilled nursing facility in Monette, resulting in one casualty.
Craighead County Judge Marvin Day confirmed on Friday night in Monette, Arkansas, that one person was killed and five others were seriously injured when a wedge tornado struck a nursing home and trapped at least 20 people inside, Region 8 News reported.
After the roof of skilled nursing facility Monette Manor collapsed, Day asked residents to shelter in place and declared a state of emergency while crews worked to help survivors. According to the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Monette Manor contained nearly 90 beds for residents.
Monette officials also spoke with the coroner's office and revised the death toll, which was originally reported at two casualties, back to one death, Region 8 News reported.
Arkansas Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin called images of the damages from the storm "heartbreaking" and asked for prayers for communities in northeastern Arkansas, a region that reported at least eight tornadoes on Friday, according to Region 8 News.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas until 5 a.m. CT.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.