CHANCES OF SEVERE WEATHER INCLUDING HEAVY RAIN FOR THIS WEEKEND

Another round of possible severe weather will be entering the area beginning tonight.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, an active weather pattern will return to the area today through Sunday, bringing with it a daily risk of severe thunderstorms.

Large hail and damaging winds will threaten the area all weekend, with Sunday also seeing the risk of tornados increase.

RIPLEY AND BUTLER COUNTY TORNADO ON MARCH 14TH PART OF LONGER TRACT THAT SPANNED OVER 117 MILES

Weather officials say that one of the tornadoes that struck Ripley and Butler Counties on March 14th was the tail end of an EF-4 tornado that stretched over 117 miles.

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado started in western Stone County, Arkansas, before crossing through Izard, Sharp, Randolph, and Ripley Counties, finally ending in western Butler County. It injured four people in total and caused widespread damage to homes and trees.

FIRE DESTROYS BUILDING NEAR DOWNTOWN POPLAR BLUFF

An abandoned commercial building was destroyed by a fire early Tuesday morning in Poplar Bluff.

The fire was located at a building on Bartlett Street between South B Street and South Riverview drive.

Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt tells KWOC News that crews responded at around 3 am and the fire was advanced when the crews arrived on scene.

A cause for the fire is undetermined and no injuries have been reported.