The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management reports as many as 600 homes were damaged in the city, along with five businesses.

Shelters are set up at the Mena First Assembly Church at 2211 Sutherland Street, and also the Baptist Church on Dallas Avenue.
 
The city's mayor reports damage to the Polk County Courthouse is extensive.

A curfew is in effect as emergency crews deal with ruptured gas lines, downed power lines, fallen trees and heavily damaged buildings.

Click here to watch one of Friday morning's reports from Mena.

Click here to post and view more photos.

As damage assessment began Thursday night, KARK was told a 25-block area of Mena was the harfest hit part of town. See more photos below.

"We've got gas leaking. We had to shut down our radios and our communication center because of the gas leak. We're having to air out the jail to keep it from being filled with gas," says Pope County Sheriff Mike Oglesby.. 

Governor Beebe has sent 30 National Guard members to the city for help.

Viewers called KARK to report extensive damage to the Polk County Courthouse, Mena City Hall, Wal-Mart, the industrial park, and many restaurants.