UPDATE: Several counties report storm damage

A strong line of storms moved through Central and Northern Arkansas this afternoon. The storms brought along strong straight line winds in excess of 60 to 70 miles per hour, as well as frequent lightning and heavy downpours.

The strong winds tore down numerous trees across the area as well as power lines. Eastern Arkansas is seeing the worst of the weather right now. Damage reports continue to come in. There have also been many unconfirmed reports of tornadoes across the area.

The severe weather threat will diminish overnight, with another round of severe weather possible into Saturday, and another into Saturday night and early Sunday. By the end of the weekend our overall weather pattern will calm down quite a bit, with dry, but hot and humid conditions expected most of next week.

Watch FOX16 for the latest weather updates.

ADEM damage report

Several counties across the state were reporting storm damage at mid-afternoon Friday as a line of heavy thunderstorms producing winds in excess of 70 miles per hour, torrential rains and hail are moving through the state.
The following counties reported damage:
Crawford County:
Local Emergency Manager reports storm damages to the southeast portion of the county. The city of Kibler reported trees down and power outages. The city of Van Buren also has power lines down.
Newton County:
Local Emergency Manager reports there were four Jasper city streets with trees down. City crews are cleaning the damage. No injuries or other damages were immediately reported.
Conway County:
Local Emergency Manager reports a touchdown of a tornado north of Hwy 95 in the St Vincent / Wonderview.
Perry County:
Local Emergency Manager reports debris down in the Harris Brake area of the county. A tree was reported to have fallen onto a double trailer. No other information was immediately available.
Johnson County:
Local Emergency Manager reports extensive storm damage to the city of Clarksville and the eastern portion of the county. Debris has been reported across several Hwy 64, Hwy 21, Hwy 103 and Hwy 315. Power lines are down in multiple parts of the county.
Yell County:
Local Emergency Manager reports power lines and tree limbs down west of Danville. It is unknown how many are without power. No known injuries or road blocks at the reported time.
Pope County:
Local Emergency Manager reports large tree down across I-40 between mm 97 and 98 in the eastbound lane.
Franklin County:
Local Emergency Manager reports power lines down in down town Ozark and Altus. There are an unknown amount of people without power. No injuries or roadblocks reported.
Pulaski County:
Local Emergency Manager reported trees and power lines down as well as structure damages.
Sebastian County:
Local Emergency Manager reports trees and power lines down as well as structure damages.
Faulkner County:
Local Emergency Manager reports damage county wide due to a severe thunderstorm.
White County:
Local Emergency Manager reports damage throughout the county.

Updates will be issued as information is received
The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state's homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.