Tornadoes and Hail in Arkansas, April 4, 2011

A downburst occurred on the southwest side of Ashdown which resulted in numerous trees and powerlines to be snapped in the town of Ashdown. As many as 50 county and city roads were closed in Little River County from the damaging winds which started approximately 8AM west of Ashdown. In the town of Ashdown trees were noted to point NE and N away from the downburst region very indicative of a strong straight line wind. Damage included numerous homes and businesses as well as a school. Very little structural damage occurred from the wind alone. Most of the damage was the result of falling trees. Maximum winds are estimated at 95-105 mph.

Numerous trees were downed in Ashdown, Arkansas with many roads blocked. Damage was in a divergent pattern...indicative of a downburst and confirmed by National Weather Service storm survey teams. Many roads were blocked by fallen trees across town.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in Little River County Arkansas and concluded that the bulk of the storm damage was the result of a downburst and straight line winds. However further investigation of the damage area southeast of Ashdown indicate damage from an EF1 tornado. The tornado touched down at around 8:10 AM, on the southeast side of Ashdown along Hwy 32. The tornado snapped and uprooted trees along CR 700 where a metal building with steel beam frame was completely destroyed. Tornado evidence is more conclusive east of this area where trees were uprooted and snapped along a convergent path. The tornado continued east south of hwy 32 snapping more trees and collapsing a carport. The tornado crossed CR 35 snapping a few trees before lifting. Maximum winds are estimated at 95-105 mph.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in Hempstead County Arkansas and found evidence of an EF1 tornado north of Hope. The tornado first touched down along CR 248 where 9 out of 10 chicken houses lost their roofs several trees were snapped and an tractor trailer was flipped over. The tornado continued north east crossing CR 211 where several trees were snapped or uprooted and metal roofing was peeled from a barn. Maximum winds are estimated at 85-95 mph.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in northern Hempstead County Arkansas and concluded that storm damage was the result of an EF2 tornado. The tornado touched down at around 8:40 AM east of the town of Blevins near a chicken farm. Four large chicken houses were completely destroyed and hundreds of chickens killed. A small trailer on the south side of the chicken houses used as an office for the farm was picked up and thrown 20 yards north into one of the chicken houses. The occupant inside the trailer sustained minor injuries. Another worker on the farm also sustained minor injuries. Metal debris was found up to 3 miles east from the farm. The tornado continued east crossing CR 45. Numerous trees were snapped along a treeline south of hwy 371 as the tornado paralleled the hwy. The tornado lifted near CR 17 in Nevada County Maximum winds are estimated at 115-120 mph.

Numerous trees were downed one half mile off of Hwy. 195 east of McCaskill, Arkansas.

A downburst occurred northeast of where the tornado track ended along cr 53. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted blocking the road. A small pen was damaged east of cr 53. All of the trees in this area were pointing outward away from where the downburst occurred approximately 200 yards west of cr 53. Maximum winds are estimated at 95-105 mph.

A tree was downed in the community of Brightstar, Arkansas along Hwy. 160.

Damage was reported to a residence and several chicken houses off CR. 23. Numerous county roads were blocked due to downed trees.

Five homes were damaged, three of those by downed trees just south of Prescott near Emmet, close to Hwy. 53 and Hwy. 24.

Powerlines were downed along with large oak trees across the extreme northern portion of Nevada County.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in Miller County Arkansas and concluded that storm damage was the result of an EF1 tornado. The tornado touched down at around 8:50 AM, south of Fouke AR along county road 7 snapping a few trees. The tornado continued east crossing old HWY 71 snapping more trees and a home sustained minor damage. The tornado crossed 549 and intensified snapping more trees into a clear convergent path west of county road 9 in a pasture. Trees also fell on a home puncturing the roof 3 people were home at the time but sustained no injuries. A large storage building behind the home was destroyed. More trees were snapped and uprooted northeastward crossing CR 9. Maximum winds are estimated at 100-110 mph.

Numerous trees were downed in the community of Emmet, Arkansas. Tim roofs were removed from storage facilities.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in Columbia County Arkansas and concluded that storm damage was the result of an EF1 tornado. The tornado touched down at around 9:28 AM, south of Waldo AR along county road 153 ripping off tin from a small barn. A home east of CR 153 sustained minor roof damage and the adjacent garage sustained minor roof damage and some structural damage. The tornado continued east southeast crossing CR 148 where several trees were snapped and uprooted. A home sustained minor roof damage and a small shed had half of its roof torn off. Further east several trees were snapped and uprooted in a field and a abandoned home had portions of its roof torn off and thrown southeast. The tornado lifted on the south side of cr 148. Maximum winds are estimated at 85-90 mph.

Numerous fallen trees resulted in damage to a mobile home and a residence at the 600 block of CR. 148 near Magnolia.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in Union County Arkansas and concluded that storm damage was the result of an EF1 tornado. The tornado touched down at around 10:12 AM, in the town of Norphlet. An old gas station cover was blown down and several trees were snapped along Black street eastward across Hayes St. Some minor roof damage occurred to homes along Hayes street. The tornado continued eastward crossing N Tate Road where a carport collapsed on a vehicle and several trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado continued along the south side of Tate Road snapping trees and peeling shingles from several homes. The tornado lifted east of a pasture where several hardwood and softwood trees were snapped or uprooted. A small metal outbuilding suffered structural damage as well. Maximum winds are estimated at 90-100 mph.