LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (AP) – Southern states including Arkansas are preparing for an Easter tornado, a seasonal threat that’s complicated by the coronavirus.
The wind and rain are part of a storm system hitting the region on Eastern Sunday, centered Mississippi and Alabama, and the northern half of Louisiana.
In Arkansas, there’s a moderate risk of tornados and heavy hail in the southeast. The risk is lower in the central and northwestern parts of the state, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service.
Tornados have forced tough choices on where to shelter in place during the coronavirus pandemic. People are trying to self-isolate to prevent spread of the virus, but many need to go to public shelters to stay safe during rough weather.
Over 1,200 people in Arkansas have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. The Arkansas Department of Health had recorded 24 related deaths as of Saturday morning.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
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