River Valley preparing for severe weather Share Updated: 5:24 PM CDT Apr 9, 2021 Share Updated: 5:24 PM CDT Apr 9, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript RIGHT NOW. WE’RE JUST SEEING A LOT OF SUNSHINE AND SOME WIND BUT WE’RE HERE AT BEN GEAR AND PARK IN FORT SMITH WHERE THIS SHELTER BEHIND ME ALONG WITH EVERY OTHER STORM SHELTER IN THE COUNTY IS GOING TO BE OPEN TONIGHT, BUT THE EMERGENCY MANAGER HOPES THAT NO ONE NEEDS TO USE IT. EMERGENCY MANAGER SAYS NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF WEATHER WE SEE IN OUR REGION TONIGHT. THE BIGGEST THREAT IS GOING TO BE STRONG WINDS. IN FACT, HE SAYS TRY NOT TO LEAVE YOUR HOME IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO KNOW THAT IF YOU SEE OR FEEL THE WIND COMING IT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT STRONGER THIS EVENING. SO THEREFORE THERE MIGHT BE FLYING DEBRIS, YOU KNOW DUST A LOT OF TREE LIMBS MIGHT BE BREAKING LOOKING AT IN YOUR ROADWAYS. THE YOU KNOW TRASH CANS ARE GOING TO BE TOPPLED OVER. SO JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU’RE AWARE WHEREVER YOU ARE. SO EVEN THOUGH THE SUN IS SHINING RIGHT NOW. WE ARE STARTING TO FEEL THE WIND GUSTS PUCK UP HERE IN FORT SMITH AND COOPER SAYS AS I CAN FEEL THE WIND COMING RIGHT NOW, BUT COOPER SAYS IF YOU CANNOT TRY TO SECURE ANYTHING YOU HAVE OUTDOORS, WHETHER IT’S LAW CHAIRS TRAMPOLINES, WHATEVER YOU CAN LIKE I SAID YOU CAN SEE THIS WIND BLOWING TO INVESTIGATE HAT ON STAY HOME IF YOU CAN. REPORTING LIVE