Following a deadly outbreak of tornadoes in Iowa on Saturday, a collection of tornadoes that hit Central America on Sunday has caused additional severe weather and potential tornadoes in Arkansas.
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado watch is in effect for parts of eastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, northern Mississippi and southeastern Missouri as of 7 a.m. CT Monday.
CNN meteorologist Michael Guy said the potential for damaging winds and tornadoes remained a threat to the area on Monday morning.
"Primary threats in the early hours of the morning include the potential for a few tornadoes, with a couple intensifying. Scattered damaging winds are also likely 70 mph with isolated significant gusts," Guy said.
Tornado warnings were issued for Arkansas late Sunday and early Monday. A spokesman for the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management said that near the Martin Township area, about 70 miles northwest of downtown Little Rock, there was tornado damage and several downed power lines, with one injury reported.
According to the agency, one family was reported to be trapped at their storm shelter but were later helped and are safe.
The Pope County Office of Emergency Management in northwest Arkansas told people to avoid the area "as emergency responders and other officials work in the area to clean up and check residents."
As residents prepare for more potentially severe weather, recovery efforts are underway in Iowa, where several tornadoes hit Des Moines on Saturday. Officials said seven people, including two children, died in the storm.
According to Diogenes Ayala, the county emergency management director, six Madison County residents were killed. Ayala told a news conference in Winterset on Sunday afternoon that the oldest victim was 72 years old and the youngest was 2 years old. He had earlier said that there were two victims below the age of 5.
One person also died in a rural area near the Lucas County town of Chariton, an official said.
According to officials, six people are being treated in Madison County for injuries sustained in the storm. Ayala had earlier said that one adult had suffered life-threatening injuries and three others were hospitalized in critical condition.
"I think it's the worst anyone has seen in a long time," Ayala said on Sunday.
At least 2 EF3 tornadoes hit Iowa, says NWS
After the bad weather passed, many residents began the arduous process of recovering from the damage.
In Des Moines, Shannon Brown told CNN affiliate KCCI that she had parked her Jeep at her home when a tornado hit a tree on top of the vehicle. She was not harmed and said she was grateful to others in the community who helped with the cleanup efforts.
"You really feel who cares about you and makes you feel special, you know you have all these people who are willing to help you," she told KCCI.
Complicating the situation, a cold front is brewing in the state on Monday, with tornado-hit areas now likely to receive snow. Snowfall started in the southern part of the state late Sunday night.
At least two tornadoes that hit Saturday were classified by the NWS's Des Moines office as EF3 intensity, meaning winds of 136-165 mph.
The NWS said an initial estimate of the Madison County tornado affecting Winterset suggested it was an EF3.
According to a news release, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster declaration for Madison County, asking the state's resources to be used for response and recovery efforts. Additional counties may be added to the proclamation.
According to preliminary NWS surveys, the Chariton tornado is also forecast to be an EF3 with winds of 138 mph and was on land for more than 16 miles.
The NWS said other tornadoes included an EF 2 with estimated winds of 122 mph near Lyon, which was on land for 19 miles.
According to the NWS, an EF1 tornado with 110 mph winds, an EF1 with 100 mph winds in West Lake Park and an EF-0 tornado also hit West Lake Park with 65 mph winds. Impressed.
The agency said on Sunday it was still surveying damage across the state and working to determine how many tornadoes occurred.