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Fort Smith/Fayetteville News | 5newsonline KFSM 5NEWS | Get the local news and weather where you live from 5NEWS. Covering Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Bentonville, and all of Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley.

Extreme Weather

Hurricanes: VERIFY Fact Sheet

Weather

No, heat lightning isn’t real

“Heat lightning” isn’t any different from ordinary strikes or flashes of lightning.
Project 2025

Yes, Project 2025 recommends dismantling NOAA

Project 2025 recommends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration “be dismantled and many of its functions eliminated” or “privatized.”
Weather

Yes, unplugging electronics before a thunderstorm can help protect them from damage

The best thing you can do to protect your electronics from damage is to unplug them before severe weather — even if they’re connected to a surge protector.
Extreme Weather

Why you should unplug electronics before a storm

The best thing you can do to protect your electronics from damage is to unplug them before severe weather — even if they’re connected to a surge protector.
Summer Guide

Yes, sunscreen does expire

Does sunscreen expire? Here’s what we can VERIFY.
Extreme Weather

Hurricane storm surge: 3 Fast Facts

Storm surges during hurricanes can be incredibly dangerous. We VERIFY three key questions about storm surges and who is most at risk.
Fast Facts

How to stay cool without A/C this summer: 6 Fast Facts

Here are six VERIFIED tips to beat the heat if you’re living somewhere that doesn’t have air conditioning.
Extreme Weather

You should not open windows and doors during a hurricane

Opening your windows and doors during a hurricane does not relieve air pressure in your home, but it does make it easier to lose your roof.
Extreme Weather

Opening doors, windows during a hurricane increases risk of damage

Opening your windows and doors during a hurricane allows wind to more easily enter your home and lift the roof off your house.
Extreme Weather

Your homeowners insurance may cover tornado damage, but it depends on where you live

Some standard homeowners insurance policies cover tornado damage, but you may need to purchase additional windstorm coverage if you live in a storm-prone area.
Extreme Weather

What we can VERIFY about the safest places in your home during a tornado

Here’s what we can VERIFY about tornado safety for people living in homes with and without basements, apartments and mobile homes.