Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Arkansas, April 24 to 30, 2011

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Arkansas, April 24 to 30, 2011
Start: 2011-04-24T07:15
End: 2011-04-30T23:59
Location: Arkansas

April 24 to 30, 2011 · NWS MEG · 31 events in 12 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $2.2 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 31

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS MEG wrote it up.

A stationary front remained draped across Southern Missouri into Western Kentucky from April 24th, 2011 into April 25th, 2011. A very warm and unstable atmosphere was in place across the Mid-South ahead of the front. A low pressure system developed along the front and interacted with the unstable environment which helped produce several rounds of severe storms into the evening of April 26th, 2011. As a result of the severe storms, the front sank south during the early morning hours of April 27th, 2011 as a secondary low pressure system developed along the front. As a result, another round of severe storms fired during the afternoon hours ahead of the low pressure center. Additional severe storms fired along the trailing cold front. Tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding occurred as a result of the severe storms. Heavy rain from the continuous rounds of severe weather eventually resulted in record river flooding on a number of rivers in the region.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Memphis, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 24, 6:37 AM CST, 38 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 24, 6:37 AM CST, 38 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
737 AM CDT SUN APR 24 2011

.UPDATE...UPDATED TO BETTER ACCOUNT FOR RADAR TRENDS AND REWORD
TUESDAY DISCUSSION IN THE PREVIOUS DISCUSSION.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 632 AM CDT SUN APR 24 2011/

DISCUSSION...

UPDATED FOR 12Z AVIATION DISCUSSION

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 455 AM CDT SUN APR 24 2011/

DISCUSSION...
A VERY ACTIVE SPRING WILL CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF VERY LARGE HAIL TORNADOES AND
DAMAGING WIND...FLASH FLOODING...RIVER FLOODING AND STRONG
GRADIENT WINDS ARE ALL FEATURED IN THE FORECAST TODAY THROUGH
WEDNESDAY. WE SHOULD GET A BREAK THURSDAY AND FRIDAY WITH ANOTHER
STORM SYSTEM EXPECTED BY THIS TIME NEXT WEEKEND.

THUNDERSTORMS YESTERDAY AND OVERNIGHT PRODUCED 3 TO 5 INCHES OF
RAINFALL ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST ARKANSAS...THE MISSOURI
BOOTHEEL AND NORTHWEST TENNESSEE. PW VALUES FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY
INTO NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS TODAY INTO TONIGHT WILL BE BETWEEN 1.6
AND 1.7 INCHES RESULTING IN TORRENTIAL RAINFALL RATES. HPC DAY 1
QPF TOTALS REACH NEARLY 3.5 INCHES IN PORTION SO NORTHEAST
ARKANSAS...AND DAY 2 TOTALS ARE OF SIMILAR MAGNITUDE...BUT
INCLUDE MUCH MORE OF EAST ARKANSAS...WITH UP TO 1.5 INCHES ACROSS
MOST OF WEST TENNESSEE. WILL LIKELY HAVE TO EXTEND...AND POSSIBLY
EXPAND THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

SEVERE POTENTIAL TODAY ISN'T NEARLY AS WELL DEFINED AS THE HEAVY
RAINFALL THREAT. MUCH OF WEST TENNESSEE...THE MISSOURI BOOTHEEL
AND EAST ARKANSAS ARE IN A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE STORMS. STORMS
SHOULD FIRE THIS AFTERNOON IN RESPONSE TO DAYTIME HEATING...THEN
WEAKEN SLIGHTLY AFTER SUNSET UNTIL THE LLJ DEVELOPS RESULTING IN
POSSIBLE RE INTENSIFICATION OVERNIGHT. SHORT LIVED TORNADOES WILL
BE POSSIBLE AS STORMS INTERACT WITH THE STATIONARY FRONT...ALTHOUGH
LARGE HAIL APPEARS TO BE THE MAIN THREAT. FARTHER WEST...GENERALLY
SOUTH OF JACKSON TN...INTO NORTH MISSISSIPPI MESOSCALE SURFACE
BOUNDARIES WILL LIKELY BE A BIGGER FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. IF SUCH BOUNDARIES CAN PROVIDE
ENOUGH FOCUS TO CONCENTRATE UPDRAFTS TO OVERCOME THE CAP DAMAGING
WIND WOULD BE THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM ANY THUNDERSTORMS. HOWEVER
THAT DOESN'T LOOK TOO LIKELY AT THIS TIME.

TOMORROW EXPECT A GREATER RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER AS A TROUGH
SHIFTS OUT OF THE PLAINS.  A 50-60 KNOT LLJ WILL DEVELOP OVER
WESTERN PORTIONS OF THE MIDSOUTH MONDAY AFTERNOON. MODELS NOW HAVE
THIS TROUGH MORE NEGATIVELY TILTED THAN PREVIOUS RUNS. ABUNDANT
MOISTURE WILL REMAIN IN PLACE...ESPECIALLY ACROSS EAST ARKANSAS
WHERE PW'S WILL RANGE FROM 1.5 TO 1.75 INCHES. DEWPOINTS IN THE
MIDDLE 60S WILL PRODUCE CAPES BETWEEN 1500 AND 2000 J/KG AND
LIFTED INDICES WILL RANGE FROM -6 TO -8 DEGREES. LOW AND MID LEVEL
DYNAMICS SHOULD RESULT IN SUFFICIENT SHEAR TO SUPPORT SUSTAINED
UPDRAFTS AND SUPER CELLULAR THUNDERSTORMS. DEEP DRY AIR ALOFT WILL
LIKELY RESULT IN LARGE HAIL.

SOUTHERLY FLOW WILL INCREASE ON MONDAY REPLENISHING THE SUPPLY OF
WARM MOIST AIR ACROSS THE MIDSOUTH. SPEEDS WILL LIKELY BE
SUSTAINED BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH. A WIND
ADVISORY WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

STORMS WILL CONTINUE ON TUESDAY...BUT THE STRONG UPPER LEVEL
SUPPORT ON MONDAY WILL SHIFT OFF TO THE EAST...AND SUPPORT
ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEXT SYSTEM WILL WON'T ARRIVE UNTIL THE
EVENING HOURS. AS A RESULT...THE SEVERE THREAT WILL NOT BE QUITE
AS HIGH UNTIL THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

IT STILL LOOKS LIKE WEDNESDAY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DEVELOP INTO A
MAJOR OUTBREAK. THIS STORM WILL BE ONE OF THE MORE DYNAMIC SYSTEMS
I HAVE SEEN IN A WHILE. FORECAST SOUNDINGS INDICATE INCREDIBLE
0-3KM SRH VALUES OVER 1500M/S2 EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING...AND MORE
REALISTIC VALUES AROUND 300-600 DURING THE DAY. MODELS ALSO NOW
FEATURE A 80KT LLJ CENTERED OVER MEMPHIS LATE TUESDAY NIGHT. THE
MID LEVEL SHORTWAVE DOES NOT LOOK QUITE AS NEGATIVELY TILTED
THIS..RUN BUT IT IS STILL VERY AMPLIFIED. SURFACE WINDS WILL BACK
AS A SURFACE LOW TRACKS FROM CENTRAL ARKANSAS INTO WESTERN
KENTUCKY RESULTING IN LONG CURVED HODOGRAPHS SUPPORTIVE OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS. TORNADOES...POSSIBLY STRONG LONG TRACKED
TORNADOES...LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WIND ARE ALL POSSIBLE ON
WEDNESDAY.

30/JDS

AVIATION...

12Z TAF CYCLE

STRATUS HAS MOVED INTO THE KTUP AREA THIS MORNING AND MAY STILL
REACH KMKL AREA BEFORE SUNRISE. SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE
MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN SECTIONS OF FORECAST AREA THIS MORNING AND
SOME OF THIS ACTIVITY MAY PASS BY KJBR. VFR CONDITIONS WILL
PERSIST FOR A MAJORITY OF THE FORECAST PERIOD. HOWEVER...SOME
ADDITIONAL STRATUS WILL MOVE BACK INTO THE KTUP AREA EARLY MONDAY
MORNING. WINDS WILL BE MAINLY FROM THE SOUTH AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS
WITH SOME HIGHER GUSTS POSSIBLE.

ARS

&&

.AVIATION...

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
MEM  84  67  81  66 /  30  20  40  90
MKL  84  65  83  65 /  40  30  30  80
JBR  81  65  79  63 /  60  60  70  90
TUP  84  61  83  66 /  10  10  20  50

&&

.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR CLAY-GREENE-
     LAWRENCE-RANDOLPH.

MO...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR DUNKLIN-
     PEMISCOT.

MS...NONE.
TN...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR LAKE-OBION.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 24, 2:42 AM CST, 4 hours 33 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
342 AM CDT SUN APR 24 2011

ARZ008-009-017-018-026>028-035-036-048-049-058-MOZ113-115-
MSZ001>017-020>024-TNZ001>004-019>021-048>055-088>092-251045-
ALCORN-BENTON MS-CALHOUN-CARROLL-CHESTER-CHICKASAW-CLAY-COAHOMA-
CRAIGHEAD-CRITTENDEN-CROCKETT-CROSS-DESOTO-DECATUR-DUNKLIN-DYER-
FAYETTE-GIBSON-GREENE-HARDEMAN-HARDIN-HAYWOOD-HENDERSON-HENRY-
ITAWAMBA-LAFAYETTE-LAKE-LAUDERDALE-LAWRENCE-LEE AR-LEE MS-MADISON-
MARSHALL-MCNAIRY-MISSISSIPPI-MONROE-OBION-PANOLA-PEMISCOT-
PHILLIPS-POINSETT-PONTOTOC-PRENTISS-QUITMAN-RANDOLPH-SHELBY-
ST. FRANCIS-TALLAHATCHIE-TATE-TIPPAH-TIPTON-TISHOMINGO-TUNICA-
UNION-WEAKLEY-YALOBUSHA-
342 AM CDT SUN APR 24 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF EAST ARKANSAS...
THE MISSOURI BOOT HEEL...NORTH MISSISSIPPI...AND WEST TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AND TONIGHT
GENERALLY ALONG AND NORTH OF INTERSTATE 40 IN WEST TENNESSEE AND
THE MISSOURI BOOTHEEL...AND NORTH OF A LINE FROM WEST MEMPHIS TO
CLARENDON IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS. THREATS INCLUDE LARGE
HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...AND ISOLATED TORNADOES.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR FAR NORTHEAST ARKANSAS...THE
MISSOURI BOOT HEEL AND FAR NORTHWEST TENNESSEE THROUGH THIS
EVENING. TWO ONE TO FOUR INCHES OF RAIN ARE EXPECTED WITH LOCALLY
HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

THE THREAT FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL CONTINUE NEXT WEEK. TWO STRONG
SYSTEMS WILL IMPACT THE MID SOUTH BETWEEN MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY.
SEVERE STORMS ARE EXPECTED ON MONDAY CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING
WINDS...VERY LARGE HAIL AND TORNADOES. THE GREATEST THREAT FOR
SEVERE STORMS WILL OCCUR ACROSS NORTHEAST ARKANSAS...ALTHOUGH
SEVERE STORMS COULD OCCUR ACROSS ALL OF THE MIDSOUTH.

ON TUESDAY...STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS ALL OF
THE MIDSOUTH. HAIL AND DAMAGING WIND ARE THE MAIN THREATS.

TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY ANOTHER POWERFUL STORM SYSTEM WILL
INCREASE THE CHANCE FOR SEVERE WEATHER ACROSS THE MIDSOUTH. AN
ENHANCED RISK OF STRONG AND LONG TRACKED TORNADOES IS POSSIBLE ALONG
WITH DAMAGING WIND AND LARGE HAIL.

MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY WILL BRING
SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN TO THE MID SOUTH RESULTING IN THE THREAT FOR
FLASH FLOODING. THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE
EXTENDED INTO NEXT WEEK.

AREA RIVERS WILL RISE THROUGH NEXT WEEK...AND
SIGNIFICANT...POSSIBLY RECORD BREAKING RIVER FLOODING IS POSSIBLE
ON THE MISSISSIPPI BY LATE NEXT WEEK AS HEAVY RAINFALL UPSTREAM
OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS BEGINS TO WORK ITS WAY SOUTH.

STRONG WINDS WILL ACCOMPANY THE AFOREMENTIONED STORM SYSTEMS ON
MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY. SUSTAINED SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH ARE
EXPECTED WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 40 MPH. WIND ADVISORIES WILL LIKELY
BE REQUIRED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED EACH DAY TODAY THROUGH
WEDNESDAY...BUT WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

30/SIRMON

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 1:41 AM CST, 5 hours 34 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
241 AM CDT SUN APR 24 2011

ARZ027-035-240815-
CROSS AR-POINSETT AR-
241 AM CDT SUN APR 24 2011

...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 315 AM CDT FOR...

  CROSS COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  SOUTH CENTRAL POINSETT COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...

A STRONG THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING PEA SIZE HAIL OR LARGER AND WINDS AT
LEAST 40 MPH WAS LOCATED 3 MILES WEST OF FAIR OAKS AT 241 AM CDT...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

VERY HEAVY RAIN ALONG WITH CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THIS THUNDERSTORM.

PEOPLE IN CROSS AND POINSETT COUNTIES...INCLUDING LOCATIONS NEAR
WYNNE...SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM CLOSELY.

&&

LAT...LON 3555 9062 3536 9050 3534 9051 3515 9101
      3515 9104 3534 9104
TIME...MOT...LOC 0741Z 242DEG 41KT 3524 9104

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 2:01 AM CST, 5 hours 14 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
301 AM CDT SUN APR 24 2011

ARZ008-009-017-018-240830-
CLAY AR-RANDOLPH AR-GREENE AR-LAWRENCE AR-
301 AM CDT SUN APR 24 2011

...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 330 AM CDT FOR...

  WESTERN CLAY COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  NORTHWESTERN GREENE COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  NORTHEASTERN LAWRENCE COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  SOUTHEASTERN RANDOLPH COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...

A STRONG THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING PEA SIZE HAIL OR LARGER AND WINDS AT
LEAST 40 MPH WAS LOCATED 4 MILES SOUTH OF POCAHONTAS AT 301 AM CDT...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

VERY HEAVY RAIN ALONG WITH CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THIS THUNDERSTORM.

PEOPLE IN CLAY...GREENE...LAWRENCE AND RANDOLPH COUNTIES...INCLUDING
LOCATIONS NEAR CORNING AND POCAHONTAS...SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM
CLOSELY.

&&

LAT...LON 3635 9037 3611 9096 3626 9108 3651 9059
      3651 9048
TIME...MOT...LOC 0801Z 240DEG 40KT 3623 9092

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 2:22 AM CST, 4 hours 53 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
322 AM CDT SUN APR 24 2011

ARZ009-017-018-MOZ113-240845-
CLAY AR-GREENE AR-LAWRENCE AR-DUNKLIN MO-
322 AM CDT SUN APR 24 2011

...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 345 AM CDT FOR...

  CLAY COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  GREENE COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  EAST CENTRAL LAWRENCE COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  DUNKLIN COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI...

A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING PEA SIZE HAIL OR LARGER AND
WINDS AT LEAST 40 MPH WAS LOCATED FROM 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF CORNING
TO 4 MILES NORTHWEST OF FONTAINE AT 322 AM CDT...MOVING EAST AT 50
MPH.

VERY HEAVY RAIN ALONG WITH CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THIS THUNDERSTORM.

PEOPLE IN CLAY...DUNKLIN...GREENE AND LAWRENCE COUNTIES...INCLUDING
LOCATIONS NEAR CAMPBELL...CHALK BLUFF NATURAL AREA...CORNING...
CROWLEYS RIDGE STATE PARK...MARMADUKE...PARAGOULD...PIGGOTT AND
RECTOR...SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM CLOSELY.

&&

LAT...LON 3652 8996 3639 8997 3599 9030 3599 9100
      3616 9087 3616 9081 3622 9082 3651 9059
      3651 9023 3654 9022
TIME...MOT...LOC 0822Z 274DEG 42KT 3647 9048 3605 9081

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 141 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:17 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 hail, 8 thunderstorm wind, 7 tornado, 3 flood, 3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flood, Lawrence

When: April 24, 7:15 AM CST to April 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 3.27 mi NNE of Black Rock to 2.27 mi NNW of Powhatan
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $65,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.146, -91.088

Heavy rain brought the Black River in Black Rock to just under record levels in late April that continued into mid May. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May. Homes and businesses sustained minor damage from the flooding. Evacuations of Black Rock and Portia, but Portia was spared from any damage. Many roads and bridges were also flooded and/or damaged. Portions of Black Rock and Powhatan Courthouse State Parks. Several thousand acres of cropland was flooded as well.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greene

When: April 24, 4:50 PM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Greene County, 1.86 mi WNW of Center Hill to 2.41 mi SSW of Gainesville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.091, -90.560

Straight line winds knocked down trees on County Road 628, west of Oak Grove.

Hail, Clay

When: April 24, 7:35 PM CST to 7:40 PM CST
Where: Clay County, 0.69 mi NNW of Corning
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.410, -90.582

Hail, Randolph

When: April 24, 8:30 PM CST to 8:35 PM CST
Where: Randolph County, Maynard
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.420, -90.900

Flash Flood, Randolph

When: April 24, 9:00 PM CST to April 25, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Randolph County, 2.3 mi S of Ingram to 2.08 mi NNE of Attica
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.387, -90.972

Heavy rain produced flash flooding in portions of Randolph County. Highway 328 and Highway 90 were closed as a result of the flooding.

Flood, Randolph

When: April 25, 3:45 AM CST to April 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Randolph County, Pocahontas to 0.24 mi SSW of Noland
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $525,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.270, -90.970

Heavy rain from numerous rounds of severe storms brought the Black River at Pocahontas to record levels during late April which continued through the end of May. The crest surpassed the Flood of 1915. Two levees broke sending water further away from its normal banks. Much of the area around Pocahontas was flooded as a result. U.S. Highway 67 was flooded between Pocahontas and Walnut Ridge. The Current River was also extremely high in Eastern Randolph County. Numerous homes and businesses were flooded. Roads and bridges were flooded and/or damaged. Evacuations occurred in Pocahontas and East Pocahontas.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cross

When: April 25, 7:56 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
Where: Cross County, 1.47 mi N of Fairoaks to 0.78 mi ESE of Riverside
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.251, -91.029

Straight line winds produced damage along the Highway 64 corridor in Cross County. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down from Fair Oaks to near Parkin. Two businesses sustained roof damage near Wynne.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cross

When: April 25, 8:10 PM CST to 8:20 PM CST
Where: Cross County, 0.38 mi ESE of Vanndale to 1.02 mi E of Cherry Vly
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 35.318, -90.774

Straight line winds blew trees and power lines down from near Vanndale to Cherry Valley. A volunteer fire truck was blown off the road due to the winds. The Farmers Co-op and the post office in Cherry Valley sustained minor damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Craighead

When: April 25, 9:00 PM CST to 9:05 PM CST
Where: Craighead County, 0.82 mi ENE of Mangrum to 0.75 mi SSE of Black Oak
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.786, -90.357

Straight line winds blew over road signs along Highway 135, north of Caraway.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mississippi

When: April 25, 9:03 PM CST to 9:08 PM CST
Where: Mississippi County, 0.37 mi N of Hilton to 0.06 mi SE of Cottonwood Corner
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.655, -90.080

Straight line winds blew two tractor trailers over into the median on Interstate 55, east of Keiser.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mississippi

When: April 25, 9:39 PM CST
Where: Mississippi County, Blytheville Aprt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.930, -89.830

The Blytheville ASOS reported a 58 mph wind gust.

Flood, Clay

When: April 26, 12:30 PM CST to April 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Clay County, 2.38 mi NNE of Datto to 2.59 mi NNW of Moark
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.3 million
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.414, -90.721

Heavy rain brought the Black River near Corning to record levels in late April that continued into the beginning of May. The record crest surpassed the Flood of 1945. Shallow flooding extended for several miles away from the river. Several homes and businesses sustained minor damage from the flooding. Many roads and bridges were closed and/or damaged including Highway 62, Highway 67 and Highway 155. The Clay County Airport was flooded as well.

Hail, St. Francis

When: April 26, 3:50 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: St. Francis County, 1.41 mi W of Palestine
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.974, -90.904

Hail, Mississippi

When: April 26, 4:00 PM CST to 4:05 PM CST
Where: Mississippi County, Manila
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.880, -90.170

Hail, St. Francis

When: April 26, 4:08 PM CST to 4:18 PM CST
Where: St. Francis County, 1.25 mi SW of Forrest City
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.008, -90.787

Thunderstorm Wind, Crittenden

When: April 26, 5:10 PM CST to 5:25 PM CST
Where: Crittenden County, 0.24 mi NNW of Crawfordsville to West Memphis
Measured: 74 kt (85 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.233, -90.331

Straight line winds produced widespread damage across much of Crittenden County including the Crawfordsville, Marion and West Memphis areas. Trees and power lines were knocked down in Crawfordsville and Marion. Two tractor trailers were overturned on Interstate 40 in Marion from the winds. Portions of the roof of a hospital in West Memphis was torn off. Several businesses and homes were also damaged in West Memphis including a car dealership that had the front of the main building destroyed.

Tornado, Phillips

When: April 26, 5:10 PM CST to 5:17 PM CST
Where: Phillips County, 1.15 mi NNE of Morning Star to 1.42 mi NNE of Modoc
Rating: EF0
Path length: 4.3 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Continued into: Coahoma, Ms (MEG)
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.335, -90.841

A weak tornado touched down one mile north of Elaine on Highway 44 and traveled east-northeast. Trees and power lines were knocked down. A few road signs were also blown over. The tornado continued east-northeast and crossed into Coahoma County, Mississippi.

Tornado, Phillips

When: April 26, 5:22 PM CST to 5:23 PM CST
Where: Phillips County, 1.43 mi SSW of Westover to 1.22 mi SSE of Westover
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.01 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Continued into: Coahoma, Ms (MEG)
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.361, -90.678

A weak tornado moved east-northeast from Coahoma County, Mississippi back into Phillips County. Several trees were knocked down. The tornado continued to move east-northeast and crossed back into Coahoma County, Mississippi.

Tornado, Phillips

When: April 26, 5:29 PM CST to 5:35 PM CST
Where: Phillips County, 0.54 mi NNW of Ferguson to 3.43 mi E of Lundell
Rating: EF0
Path length: 6.27 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Continued into: Coahoma, Ms (MEG)
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.137, -90.984

A weak tornado touched down near Ferguson on Highway 44 and traveled northeast toward the Mississippi River. Some trees were knocked down. The tornado continued northeast crossing into Coahoma County, Mississippi.

Hail, Phillips

When: April 26, 5:44 PM CST to 5:49 PM CST
Where: Phillips County, 2.32 mi S of Helena - West Helena
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.496, -90.588

Golf ball size hail fell at the Helena Bridge.

Flash Flood, Crittenden

When: April 26, 7:20 PM CST to April 27, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Crittenden County, Marion to 1.05 mi E of Vincent
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.220, -90.200

Heavy rain produced flash flooding in Marion and West Memphis. Numerous streets were flooded with water.

Flash Flood, Lee

When: April 26, 8:00 PM CST to April 27, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Lee County, Marianna to 1.1 mi S of Haynes
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.770, -90.750

Heavy rain produced flash flooding near Marianna. Creeks and ditches that run into the L'Anguille River were overflowing between Highway 1 and the river, northwest of Marianna.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: April 26, 8:17 PM CST to 8:22 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, Smithville to 2.16 mi E of Smithville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.080, -91.330

Straight line winds damaged a few homes in Smithville.

Hail, Poinsett

When: April 27, 7:42 AM CST to 7:49 AM CST
Where: Poinsett County, Trumann
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.680, -90.520

Hail, Lawrence

When: April 27, 11:10 AM CST to 11:15 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, Strawberry
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.970, -91.320

Hail, Randolph

When: April 27, 11:35 AM CST to 11:45 AM CST
Where: Randolph County, Pocahontas
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.270, -90.970

Half dollar to baseball size hail fell in Pocahontas.

Hail, Craighead

When: April 27, 1:54 PM CST to 1:59 PM CST
Where: Craighead County, Jonesboro
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.830, -90.700

Tornado, Craighead

When: April 27, 1:55 PM CST to 1:56 PM CST
Where: Craighead County, 1.17 mi SW of Ridge to 0.92 mi SW of Ridge
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.26 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.738, -90.695

A weak tornado briefly touched down just west of Highway 1, approximately 5 miles south of Jonesboro and moved northeast. The tornado crossed over Highway 1 and then lifted. An office building had the roof partially blown off. Two garage doors of storage units were blown in. One window was blown out of a business and a chain link fence was partially knocked down as well.

Tornado, Craighead

When: April 27, 2:01 PM CST to 2:02 PM CST
Where: Craighead County, 0.9 mi W of Hergett to 0.58 mi NNE of Hergett
Rating: EF2
Path length: 1.23 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.770, -90.616

A tornado briefly touched down just southwest of Highway 158, northeast of Bay, and moved northeast. The tornado crossed Highway 158 before lifting just before it reached Highway 63. Some damage occurred to the Bay Arkansas Airport. The airport measured a 113 mph gust. A carport awning was lifted and thrown by the tornado.

Tornado, Craighead

When: April 27, 2:08 PM CST to 2:10 PM CST
Where: Craighead County, 1.28 mi SSW of Bowman to 0.43 mi ENE of Bowman
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.6 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.803, -90.507

A tornado briefly touched down near Pekin Road near Bowman and moved northeast. The tornado lifted near Highland Drive in Bowman. Five homes and one business garage was damaged. Three mobile homes sustained roof damage. Two brick homes and one business garage also sustained roof damage. A storage shed was destroyed. A chain link fence was blown over. A few trees and tree limbs were knocked down.

Tornado, Craighead

When: April 27, 2:17 PM CST to 2:18 PM CST
Where: Craighead County, 2.5 mi SSW of Monette to 1.96 mi SSW of Monette
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.59 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.869, -90.373

A weak tornado briefly touched down along County Road 513, northeast of Black Oak. The tornado moved northeast crossing Highway 18. The tornado lifted southwest of Monette along County Road 506. A pivot irrigation system was flipped over. Two telephone poles were knocked down. A few tree limbs were broken.

What these are

Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arkansas in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Arkansas, 2011 Warnings in Arkansas, April 2011

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 296129, 296138, 296139, 296140, 296143, 296126, 297081, 297083, 297111, 297115, 297352, 296130, 298162, 298163, 298165, 298172, 298254, 298257, 300684, 300797, 300879, 300887, 301097, 301994, 302987, 302991, 303236, 303238, 303241, 303250, 303251.