Buildings destroyed, homes damaged in Morrilton

MORRILTON, AR – High wind associated with the incoming storm has destroyed two buildings and damaged at least 50 homes in Morrilton.

Mayor Stewart Nelson says that high wind destroyed two buildings at the fairgrounds, a tree has gone through a house on Tennessee Street, and several power lines are down throughout town.

The acting emergency manager in Morrilton tells the National Weather Service that at least 50 homes were damaged within the city. Most of the damage is confined to damaged roofs, but some homes have had trees “slice” into them.

The Petit Jean County Headlight News reports the Green Bay packaging plant lost one third of its roof and has a lot of water damage to its office, however there were no injuries.

Entergy’s website reports that more than 1,400 customers were without power for a couple of hours Wednesday afternoon. Some residents, about 300, in the Morrilton area will not have their power restored until early Wednesday morning, according to Entergy’s website.

Indications from Morrilton and the National Weather Service are that the damage was caused by straight line wind, not a tornado.