Tue Sep 23 20:10:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Tornado Watch Issued for Northwest Arkansas and River Valley; Severe Weather Expected**

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – September 23, 2023 – A Tornado Watch is in effect for the entire 5NEWS coverage area of Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley until 10:00 PM tonight, September 23rd. A Weather Impact Alert has been declared due to the potential for severe thunderstorms throughout the day.

Two rounds of storms are anticipated. The first round is expected to move through Northwest Arkansas as early as 7:00 AM, bringing gusty winds, small hail, and heavy rain. While these storms are not expected to reach severe criteria, residents should still be aware of potential hazards.

The second, more potent round of thunderstorms will begin around 11:00 AM to noon in Northwest Arkansas and continue into the afternoon and evening for both Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. The main threat window for Northwest Arkansas is between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM, while the River Valley will face the greatest risk from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

These later storms carry a significant risk of becoming severe, with large hail, damaging wind gusts, and the possibility of tornadoes, some of which could be strong (EF2 or greater). A Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe storms has been issued for much of the central 5NEWS coverage area, where the tornado risk is highest, while the rest of the region is under a Level 2 out of 5 risk.

The already saturated ground, due to 4-8 inches of rainfall in recent days, raises concerns about potential flooding. An additional 2-4 inches of rain is expected through Wednesday morning, with some localized areas potentially receiving 6-8 inches. A flood watch is in effect for the entire area through Tuesday morning.

**Safety Recommendations:**

* **Severe Thunderstorm Warning:** Seek shelter in a sturdy building, away from windows. Do not stop under bridges or overpasses while driving.
* **Tornado Warning:** Move to the centermost room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, a basement, or a designated storm shelter. Protect yourself with pillows or sporting equipment. Bring pets to shelter as well.
* **Flooding:** Seek higher ground. Do not drive through flooded roadways; turn around and find an alternate route.

Residents are urged to prepare a “go-bag” with essential medications, documents, and other important items. It is important to identify nearby storm shelters and to be aware of the various emergency notifications available. For a list of public storm shelters, consult the 5NEWS interactive storm shelter map. Do not rely on outdoor sirens as your sole source of warning.

Stay tuned to 5NEWS for the latest weather updates and information. Download the 5NEWS app for live Doppler radar and 24/7 streaming coverage.

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