- Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency until April 30. Lead photo: CNN
At least 21 people were injured on Friday, March 31, after the passage of a tornado in Arkansas, United States (USA).
The meteorological phenomenon was classified by the authorities as a “high risk” storm and affected almost three million people, leaving damage in the streets of the city.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the governor of Arkansas, declared a state of emergency, a measure that will last until April 30.
The official estimated that at least three million people were affected and dozens of streets were littered with rubble. Huckabee called the tornado “extremely dangerous and potentially deadly,” he told a news conference.
In addition, he noted that more than 50,000 people were without power in Pulaski County, Arkansas.
Dozens of people are trapped in their homes.
Rebekah Magnus, a spokeswoman for the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM), confirmed that dozens of people are trapped in their homes so far.
Magnus explained to the CNN news network that one of the hardest hit sectors of Arkansas was Wynne.
“There is significant damage, but we still cannot confirm the number of injuries in that area,” he clarified.
The ADEM representative confirmed that local security forces are responding to the emergency.
Category 5 tornado warning
For its part, the US National Weather Service forecast that in the coming days there will be thunderstorms, strong winds and threats of tornadoes.
These phenomena could affect 21 states, approximately 90 million inhabitants.
The authorities warned that category five hurricanes could occur that would mainly affect Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee.
