Weekend storms bring widespread destruction, deaths

At least five people are confirmed dead across four north Arkansas counties after this weekends severe, tornado-producing storms swept through the state , according to authorities.

The same storm system was responsible for at least seven deaths in Texas and two in Oklahoma, according to news reports.

A Salesville woman, and 17 others were injured in Baxter County . The body of 73-year-old Patricia Anne Sontag was located near Salesville. At least two people died in Marion County, and there was one death in Benton County.  A fifth death was reported in Boone County, according to an official with the Boone County Office of Emergency Management.

According to PowerOutage.US, more than 90,000 customers were without power in northern Arkansas counties bordering Missouri after the storm.

According to reports, storms began hitting Baxter County shortly after a tornado warning was issued around 4am Sunday morning. The Baxter County sheriff’s office began receiving multiple reports of damaged property and power lines and fallen trees blocking roadways and crashing down on homes and vehicles. In addition to on-duty deputies, emergency responders from multiple agencies were quickly called out to begin responding to situations and provide help to those in need.

There was a heavy concentration of damage and destruction in the areas of Briarcliff, Salesville and Hand Cove.

Work to clear roadways of fallen utility lines and downed trees still continues.

The storms also devastated communities in north Texas and western Oklahoma.

See more photos of the aftermath on page 8.

Photos courtesy of Facebook.