SEVERE WEATHER: The National Weather Service in Little Rock said there's a chance for more severe weather tonight.

Less than a week after a tornado and storms tore through the area, Pulaski County is bracing for another round of dangerous weather tonight.

The National Weather Service in Little Rock said all types of severe weather are possible tonight and placed Little Rock and Central Arkansas at an “enhanced” risk of severe weather. The worst chance for severe weather falls to the west, along a line between Mena and Harrison.

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An advisory from Pulaski County this morning said the National Weather Service is predicting the chance for severe weather hazards, including hail, strong winds and tornadoes to hit the county around 4 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Residents are urged to be weather alert. Make sure your devices are charged and that you are able to receive emergency notifications.

Determine a safe place to take shelter beforehand. In the event of a tornado warning in your area, take shelter in a basement or a room on the lowest floor without windows. For added protection, shelter under sturdy furniture and cover yourself with blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, or a mattress.

KATV-Channel 7 Meteorologist Todd Yakoubian said in a text message this afternoon that when severe weather is in the forecast for the overnight hours, it’s important to have two ways to get warnings like the NOAA Weather Radio or the KATV Weather App. Yakoubian said if you know anyone who is still without electricity, get the word out about the severe weather threat.

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Matt Burks, the head of Little Rock’s emergency management, said that all the sirens are working if needed Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. One sustained some damage from Friday’s tornado, but it remains operable.

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If the sirens are on, you should be in shelter.

Skot Covert, a meteorologist with THV-11, spoke before Rotary Club 99 in Little Rock on Tuesday. He said that the Tuesday evening storms could come in two spurts. Covert said that he had a pit in his stomach because nocturnal tornadoes are 50% more deadly, and sleeping people may not hear the warnings.

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Brian Chilson
BE PREPARED: Meteorologist Skot Covert said another volatile storm is headed toward Central Arkansas.

Being prepared is the most important thing for the upcoming storms. Burks echoed Yakoubian’s suggestion for two ways to receive weather updates. He also said that families should prepare a plan now, ahead of the storm. The inner-most room in a house without windows should be where folks go for shelter. If you don’t have a proper basement, stay out of any crawl spaces or under house storage areas — it makes rescue harder, Burks said.

People with homes that were damaged from Friday’s tornado should seek shelter at a hotel, a friend or family’s house, or get to an emergency shelter. The Red Cross is stationed at Calvary Baptist Church at 5700 Cantrell Road. With all the debris from the tornado, Burks said that folks should secure it if possible. Even without a tornado, strong winds can move debris and create dangerous situations.

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