VIDEO: Dozens Hospitalized After Massive Tornado Rips Through Little Rock

Arkansas‘ capital city is reeling after a massive tornado blew through on Friday afternoon, sending dozens to the hospital and causing extensive damage.

Witnesses posted video of the funnel from several angles as it passed through the area, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Insane video of massive Tornado on the Ground in Little Rock taken from the 7th floor of Little Rock Baptist hospital.. Video by Kristal Benton from Medical Towers 1 pic.twitter.com/710L3RQj9k

— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) March 31, 2023

wife took this from baptist hospital in LR #Tornado #littlerock #Arkansas pic.twitter.com/VqskSxjxGE

— Jesse Forrester (@Jwforr) March 31, 2023

This is the tornado as it moved through Little Rock this afternoon – our field meteorologist @AlaStormTracker saw debris lofted, he is joining us now on WeatherNation to discuss the storm and damage pic.twitter.com/O4hraIjFmi

— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) March 31, 2023

Videos show a powerful tornado moving through Little Rock, Arkansas. A significant tornado outbreak is underway in the South and Midwest, as millions are under a severe weather threat. There are a “significant” number of injuries, authorities say. https://t.co/rgm2GnFeUB pic.twitter.com/12zwTm9Nmt

— ABC News (@ABC) April 1, 2023

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. announced in a tweet that he had been in contact with Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, asking for the state to provide any assistance the people impacted might need.

“I have been in contact with Gov. @SarahHuckabee Sanders to request National Guard assistance with our response to the tornado emergency,” he said. “Again, please stay away from the affected areas to allow emergency responders access.”

Sanders’ response was quick: “Here at the Capitol I just signed an executive order declaring that a State of Emergency exists in the State of Arkansas due to today’s severe weather. We will spare no resource to assist with response and recovery efforts for Arkansans impacted.”

Here at the Capitol I just signed an executive order declaring that a State of Emergency exists in the State of Arkansas due to today’s severe weather. We will spare no resource to assist with response and recovery efforts for Arkansans impacted. pic.twitter.com/FsY47vOusn

— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) March 31, 2023

“I’ve activated the Arkansas National Guard. They will be assisting Arkansas State Police and local law enforcement around the state,” she added.

I’ve activated the Arkansas National Guard. They will be assisting Arkansas State Police and local law enforcement around the state.

— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) March 31, 2023

Reports of casualties began pouring in almost immediately as people began to make their way into hospitals for treatment. Mayor Scott issued a statement saying that he already knew of two dozen who had been injured.

“At this time, we know of 24 people who have been hospitalized at Little Rock hospitals and we are not aware of any fatalities in Little Rock at this time. Property damage is extensive and we are still responding. #LRwx #ARwx,” he said.

At this time, we know of 24 people who have been hospitalized at Little Rock hospitals and we are not aware of any fatalities in Little Rock at this time. Property damage is extensive and we are still responding. #LRwx #ARwx

— Frank Scott, Jr. (@FrankScottJr) March 31, 2023

Cara Wade, a spokeswoman for Baptist Health medical centers in Little Rock and North Little Rock, confirmed to The New York Times that they were already treating 21 patients who had been injured during the tornado — and several of them were critical.

The damages reported so far have been extensive — roofs were ripped from homes and businesses, churches and schools sustained heavy damages, vehicles were flipped, and trees and street signs were bent or felled altogether.

The Baptist church on Donavan Briley Blvd south of camp Robinson in NLR sustained heavy damage pic.twitter.com/D8keT9OeqL

— James Bryant (@KATVJames) March 31, 2023