ATKINS, Ark. -- Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe toured tornado damage in western Arkansas on Wednesday, where four people were killed in Pope County and 13 died statewide, Ft. Smith television station WHBS reported.

The Red Cross set up a shelter in Atkins, where authorities estimate that 30 homes were destroyed.

"It's tough to deal with, tough to deal with the families, and all the people here that lost their life and lost their homes and lost their property," said Pope County Sheriff Jay Winters.

An Atkins couple and their 11-year-old daughter were killed when a powerful twister hit their home. In addition to that family, another Pope County resident was killed. Two deaths each were reported in Conway and Izard counties and one each in Baxter, Stone and Van Buren counties.

"Well, it's devastating, but we know these things come. It makes you feel sad," said Walter Cunningham.

Matt DeCample, a spokesman for Beebe, said up to 30 Arkansas National Guardsmen would be sent to Pope County on Wednesday to help with recovery efforts and security.

The Pope County sheriff's office said emergency crews went door to door to check on residents in Atkins. Power lines blocked traffic to the community along the Arkansas River in central Arkansas.

Amateur radio operators reported that a tornado hit a hospital in Mountain View, forcing it to close its emergency room.

At Gassville, the Baxter County Sheriff's Office said debris, including parts of houses, blocked a highway. The town was sealed off because of the possibility that gas leaks could result in an explosion. A polling site in Gassville was closed as the storm approached, and several polling locations in Conway County also shut down because of the storms.