9 P.M. UPDATE:
No tornado warnings remained active in Arkansas after 9 p.m., though a tornado watch was set for part of the state through early Sunday morning.
The watch, which had covered more than two dozen counties earlier in the day, remained in effect until 3 a.m. Sunday for Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew and Lincoln counties. It was in effect in Union County until midnight.
A severe thunderstorm warning also was in effect until 9:15 p.m. for parts of Desha, Drew and Lincoln counties.
8:37 P.M. UPDATE:
Only one tornado warning remained in effect in Arkansas at 8:30 p.m. It covered eastern Union County and was set to remain in effect until 9 p.m.
Warnings that had covered areas in Miller, Lafayette and Columbia counties were allowed to expire. The map above is updated with the latest warnings.
Severe thunderstorm warnings, meanwhile, was in effect for Desha, Calhoun, Bradley, Drew, Dallas, Cleveland, Lincoln and Grant counties. Wind gusts were said to be possible up to 70 mph along with large hail.
Entergy at 8 p.m. reported nearly 1,000 customers had lost power in Union County. A house in Lawson, which is east of El Dorado, reportedly lost is roof and suffered a partial collapse after the storm moved through. There were no preliminary reports of injuries.
5:50 P.M. UPDATE:
Tornado warnings have been issued for parts of southern Arkansas.
The National Weather Service says the warnings cover far parts of Miller, Lafayette and Columbia counties [MAP].
The warnings run through 6:30 p.m.
UPDATE:
A tornado watch has been issued for more than two dozen counties in central and southern Arkansas as strong storms move into the region.
The National Weather Service said the watch covers Lonoke County and roughly all areas to its south and west, including Pulaski County. The watch runs through 9 p.m.
The weather service said the storms could also produce damaging hail and winds.
EARLIER:
LITTLE ROCK — Strong thunderstorms and possible tornadoes are in the forecast this weekend for parts of Arkansas.
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, said that multiple rounds of severe storms are possible Saturday afternoon into early Sunday from Louisiana and Arkansas eastward to north Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
The prediction center says a swath of southeast Arkansas has an enhanced risk of seeing severe weather, including the city of Little Rock. Severe weather could include hail, high winds and tornadoes.
Forecasters said there was a slight risk for severe thunderstorms Saturday from extreme northeast Texas and southeast Oklahoma eastward to parts of the southeast Atlantic coast.
Officials said four people were killed early Saturday when a tornado ripped through the Hattiesburg, Mississippi, area.