Oklahoma City, OK (March 31, 2023) – The Salvation Army of Arkansas-Oklahoma is responding to a series of severe storms/tornadoes that crossed Arkansas on Friday afternoon/evening, March 31. There have been multiple confirmed touchdowns in Benton, Central Arkansas (Little Rock area), and Wynne, AR. Other areas remain to be confirmed yet there are indications there are other areas affected. At this time, there are over 40 reported as injured with reports still coming in. The threat for severe storms continues through the evening.
The Central Arkansas Area Command (CAAC) responded to a requested by Little Rock Emergency Management to provide meals for emergency responders this evening. The CAAC and Hot Springs, Arkansas canteens will begin service in Benton and the Little Rock area on Saturday as soon as it is safe to deploy. An additional three canteens are confirmed for arrival on Sunday, April 2. Additional recruiting of personnel and equipment continues.
The Salvation Army is working closely with local emergency management as well as Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and VOAD partners to assess the needs of the impacted areas.
An Incident Command Team will be arriving on April 1. The Salvation Army is partnering with Arkansas Baptist for feeding. It is estimated the first meals will be pulled on Monday, April 3.
Please note this incident is still actively occurring and information received on impacts could change response over the next 24 hours. We will provide additional updates as this incident evolves.
