Arkansas Storms Kill Five

At least five people died in north Arkansas Sunday as storms ripped across the state, sparking tornadoes, ripping roofs off houses and sending trees flying, officials said.

The five people were killed by a tornado that hit the town of Allison in Stone County, bounced over the White River and hit a campground in Izard County, state police spokesman Wayne Jordan said.

“The tornado continued moving up Highway 9 toward Melbourne,” John Lewis of the National Weather Service said. “We understand there was quite a bit of structural damage in that area. Melbourne took a pretty good hit.”

Tornado watches and warnings were posted for much of the state.

Arkansas Power & Light Co. said more than 3,000 people lost power during the storms, triggered by a cold front. Spokesman Danny Koonce says customers in north-central Arkansas were the hardest hit.