March 15, 2025 NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Three fatalities have been confirmed in Independence County, and 29 people were reported injured in eight counties in connection to a storm system that moved through the state overnight. Numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Staff from the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) have been called to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) due to extensive storm damage across the state. Currently, sixteen (16) counties in Arkansas have reported damage to ADEM. These counties include: Baxter, Clark, Fulton, Greene, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Nevada, Phillips, Randolph, Sharp, Stone, and Woodruff. Most counties are still assessing the full extent of the damage, but reports indicate impacts to homes, businesses, and downed power lines and trees. We expect to receive more information throughout the day and will provide updates to the public as soon as they become available.  The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state's homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies. For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov .