Body of deceased woman identified, 17 injured in Baxter County following Sunday's storms

Photos courtesy of the Baxter County Sheriff's Office

A woman was found dead and 17 other people were injured in Baxter County following Sunday's morning storms. The body of Patricia Anne Sontag, 73, was found near Salesville. Six of the injured were pediatric patients and one was transferred to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.

According to Sheriff John Montgomery, the storms began hitting Baxter County shortly after a tornado warning was issued around 4 a.m. The Sheriff's Office began receiving several reports of damaged properties and power lines and fallen trees blocking roadways and crashing into homes and vehicles. In addition to the deputies on duty, emergency responders from multiple agencies were quickly called in to begin responding to situations and providing assistance to those in need.

There was a high concentration of damage and destruction in the Briarcliff, Salesville and Hand Cove areas. A woman was reported missing and could not be found after her mobile home was destroyed on Jones Lane off Arkansas Highway 5 South near Salesville. The woman's body was found around 8 a.m. Sunday morning, nearly 300 meters from her residence, and she was later identified as Sontag.

Work to clear roads of downed power lines and downed trees continues. Motorists should continue to use caution when driving in and around affected areas, and people should be aware of the dangers of entering severely damaged buildings and structures. Assistants remain available to offer assistance as needed.

The majority of those injured were treated by Baxter Health medical personnel. The Baxter County Sheriff's Office was also assisted by the Arkansas State Police, Gassville Police Department, Cotter Police Department, Bull Shoals Police Department, Highway Patrol of Arkansas, the Baxter County Department of Highways and Bridges, the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the Baxter County Coroner's Office, all volunteer fire departments within Baxter County and some outside the county as well as Office of Emergency Management personnel from Baxter, Izard and Fulton counties. Additionally, the Izard County Sheriff's Office temporarily handled calls south of Norfork, and many civilian volunteers offered their services.

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