LITTLE ROCK – The City of Little Rock has experienced substantial damage as a result of a tornado that passed through central Arkansas this afternoon.

As a result, the City has set up a temporary emergency shelter for displaced residents at Hall STEAM Magnet High School, 6700 H St. The shelter is currently open to accept impacted residents. Rock Region Metro is providing shuttle service from impacted neighborhoods.

Residents who need transportation to the shelter should gather at 315 N. Shackleford Rd. (the parking lot of Immanuel Baptist Church) for pick up. Residents in other affected areas of the City should call (501) 375-6717, and select Option 2 to request a micro-transit vehicle. Rock Region Metro dispatchers will be available until 8 pm to provide these services.

Emergency personnel are currently on site at impacted areas of the city to ensure residents are safe and traffic is flowing. In addition to the first responders, city Public Works staff is working overnight, first on major arterials, to ensure roadways are clear.

Mayor Frank Scott Jr. has requested support from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas National Guard to assist with the emergency response.

“Recovery efforts for our city and its residents will be long, but we are resilient. We will continue to work together to move from this natural disaster stronger than before,” Mayor Scott said.