Tornadoes · United States · Arkansas · 2019
EF0 tornado, Four Mile Corner to Enarc, Arkansas, May 2, 2019
From Four Mile Corner to Enarc, this EF0 tornado ran 4.5 miles across Prairie County on May 2, 2019, touching down at 2:20 PM CDT and reaching 100 yards wide. It killed nobody.
The rating scale
Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.
EF065 to 85 mphthis tornado
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
EF186 to 110 mph
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
EF2111 to 135 mph
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
EF3136 to 165 mph
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
EF4166 to 200 mph
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
EF5over 200 mph
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unrated
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.
The record
- Rating
- EF0
- Date
- May 2, 2019
- Touchdown
- 2:20 PM CDT (19:20 UTC)
- Lifted
- 2:34 PM CDT (19:34 UTC)
- On the ground
- 14 minutes
- Path length
- 4.5 miles (7.2 km)
- Path width
- 100 yards (91 m)
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- County
- Prairie County
- Touchdown point
- 34.957, -91.568
- Lift-off point
- 35.019, -91.546
- Record number
- 1905021320-01
The damage survey
3 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS LZK, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF0. The highest wind the damage implies is 70 mph.
- Beginning point estimated from radar data and video.
- Video and radar evidence suggest the tornado crossed Hwy 38 near Fourmile Corner.
- An additional video shows a continuation of the tornado north-northwest of Des Arc. Based on this evidence and radar data, it appears the tornado dissipated around this area. TIme and placement are estimated.
Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.
What the Weather Service recorded
Areas of heavy rainfall were observed as a complex of showers and a few thunderstorms moved across central sections of Arkansas. Several inches of rain fell rather quickly, causing flash flooding. As this area of thunderstorms moved into the Little Rock Metro area, these thunderstorms strengthened, causing several weak tornadoes to touch down across central portions of the state. In addition to damage caused by tornadoes, some downburst winds were also observed.
This tornado was confirmed by video evidence, forming just southwest of the intersection of Arkansas Hwy 11 and 38 west of Des Arc. This tornado continued northeast over rural areas northwest of Des Arc, lifting southwest of the intersection of Arkansas Hwy 11 and North Colwell Road. Damage was minimal due to this tornado remaining over mainly open fields.
From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the tornado touched down, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Little Rock, AR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the tornado touched down at May 2, 12:47 PM CDT, 1 hour 33 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 2, 12:47 PM CDT, 1 hour 33 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Little Rock AR 1247 PM CDT Thu May 2 2019 .AVIATION... For the 18Z TAFs, moderate to heavy rainfall should continue through central portions of the state through early to mid afternoon. This rainfall, in addition to low broken to overcast skies, will result in MVFR and IFR conditions across the forecast area. Expect conditions to improve slightly this evening, however restrictions should return late tonight and early Friday due to low clouds and fog development. && .PREV DISCUSSION...(ISSUED 659 AM CDT Thu May 2 2019) UPDATE... Updated to include the 12z aviation discussion. AVIATION... SHRA/TSRA were ongoing across western and northern terminals this morning. VFR conditions were seen at KBPK, KPBF and KLLQ, elsewhere MVFR conditions were observed. Ceilings will gradually lower through the day becoming MVFR as SHRA expand in coverage and spread northeastward. Precipitation will come to an end from southwest to northeast this afternoon into the evening. MVFR ceilings will prevail overnight with areas of fog developing by early Friday morning 08/10z. Winds will generally be southerly at less than 15 knots. PREV DISCUSSION...(ISSUED 416 AM CDT Thu May 2 2019) SHORT TERM...Today Through Friday Night It was another unsettled evening across much of AR. Radar indicated two main areas of convection in progress as of 04Z this morning. The northern end of an MCS was affecting the southwest half of AR, while another area of convection was ongoing across northeast AR. Between these systems, a remnant cold pool was propagating across central AR resulting in elevated scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. All storms across the state are below severe limits at this time. Across western portions of AR, radar indicated substantial precipitation fell across this area overnight, with general 1 to 2 inches over the higher elevations of the Ouachitas. Additional heavy rain will be possible today as the system slowly moves east across the state. Limited instability, from time of day, will help keep storms below severe limits. Flash flooding will be the main concern given antecedent conditions. High temperatures to day will range from the upper 60s to around 80 degrees. Precipitation should come to an end this afternoon and evening before another complex of showers and thunderstorms move into the region Friday. On Friday into Friday night another mesoscale convective system is expected to develop over Texas before moving into AR. Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible with damaging winds becoming the main concern. Marginally severe hail will be possible as well. One major factor to consider with this severe potential would be the development of stratiform precipitation out ahead of the main convection to help stabilize the atmosphere. Friday and Friday evening will be monitored closely for any changes to this severe potential. Confidence remains low in this portion of the forecast with so many model discrepancies as to timing and placement of features. This active weather pattern is a result of persistent troughing over the western CONUS and strong persistent ridging over the Western Atlantic. Between these features, southwest upper level winds continues to bring embedded impulses through the flow which in part is interacting with a nearly stationary boundary northwest of AR and partly a result of rich Gulf of Mexico moisture streaming northward pooling in proximity to the boundary. These ingredients will come together to produce a long-duration heavy rain event across the state. As much as one to three inches of additional rainfall will be possible along the I30/Hwy 67/167 corridor through the short term. Flash flooding still posses the greatest risk during the short term. LONG TERM...Saturday Through Wednesday Convection wl be ending from the Sat night as a storm system shifts further to the E of the FA. Models still show a lull in the unsettled wx pattern for Sun and much of Mon as sfc high pres passes acrs the region. Weak ridging in the upper lvls wl also help to keep dry conds in place. However, moisture/rain chances wl once again return heading into Tue and Wed as the upper flow again returns fm the SW. Several upper impulses wl traverse the Mid-South, also aided by a slow movg CDFNT fm the NW, to bring additional rounds of SHRA/TSRA to much of AR. Once again, wl closely monitor heavy rain/severe wx potential heading into the next work week. && .LZK Watches/Warnings/Advisories... Flash Flood Watch until 7 PM CDT this evening FOR Baxter-Boone- Conway-Fulton-Izard-Johnson-Logan-Marion-Montgomery-Newton-Pike- Polk-Pope-Scott-Searcy-Stone-Van Buren-Yell. && Aviation...CROSS
Hazardous weather outlook, May 2, 4:49 AM CDT, 9 hours 31 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Little Rock AR 449 AM CDT Thu May 2 2019 ARZ003>008-012>017-021>025-030>034-037>047-052>057-062>069-031000- Boone-Marion-Baxter-Fulton-Sharp-Randolph-Newton-Searcy-Stone- Izard-Independence-Lawrence-Johnson-Pope-Van Buren-Cleburne- Jackson-Logan-Conway-Faulkner-White-Woodruff-Scott-Yell-Perry- Polk-Montgomery-Garland-Saline-Pulaski-Lonoke-Prairie-Monroe-Pike- Clark-Hot Spring-Grant-Jefferson-Arkansas-Dallas-Cleveland- Lincoln-Desha-Ouachita-Calhoun-Bradley-Drew- 449 AM CDT Thu May 2 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for a Large Part of Arkansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A complex of showers and thunderstorms will continue to move through the state this morning into the early afternoon hours. The potential exists for heavy rainfall leading to isolated flash flooding. One to two inches of rain is expected today. Organized severe weather is not expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Unsettled weather will continue Friday and Saturday, as a front meanders over Arkansas. Good chances for showers and thunderstorms will remain in the forecast. Localized flash flooding will be a concern, but organized severe weather is not expected. The front will move out of the area later in the weekend. A return to an unsettled weather pattern will occur by the middle of next week. .Spotter Information Statement... Spotter activation will not be needed. && Visit NWS Little Rock on the web. Go to https://weather.gov/lzk.
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 2, 1:40 PM CDT, 40 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Service Notice</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<main class="wrap">
<section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
<div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
<h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
<p id="message1">
The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
</p>
<p id="message2">
Please try again in a few minutes.
</p>
<p class="small" id="detail">
If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
</p>
</section>
</main>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>Local storm report, May 2, 1:45 PM CDT, 35 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Service Notice</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<main class="wrap">
<section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
<div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
<h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
<p id="message1">
The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
</p>
<p id="message2">
Please try again in a few minutes.
</p>
<p class="small" id="detail">
If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
</p>
</section>
</main>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>Local storm report, May 2, 1:48 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Service Notice</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<main class="wrap">
<section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
<div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
<h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
<p id="message1">
The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
</p>
<p id="message2">
Please try again in a few minutes.
</p>
<p class="small" id="detail">
If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
</p>
</section>
</main>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>Local storm report, May 2, 1:55 PM CDT, 25 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Service Notice</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<main class="wrap">
<section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
<div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
<h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
<p id="message1">
The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
</p>
<p id="message2">
Please try again in a few minutes.
</p>
<p class="small" id="detail">
If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
</p>
</section>
</main>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>Local storm report, May 2, 2:17 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Service Notice</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<main class="wrap">
<section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
<div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
<h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
<p id="message1">
The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
</p>
<p id="message2">
Please try again in a few minutes.
</p>
<p class="small" id="detail">
If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
</p>
</section>
</main>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>Local storm report, May 2, 2:19 PM CDT, 1 minute before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Service Notice</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<main class="wrap">
<section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
<div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
<h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
<p id="message1">
The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
</p>
<p id="message2">
Please try again in a few minutes.
</p>
<p class="small" id="detail">
If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
</p>
</section>
</main>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>The air that afternoon
The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.
Little Rock, AR (KBYH), 12:00Z
7.3 hours before the tornado, 148 km from the path. May 2, 2019.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 18 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -199 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 17 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 888 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 40 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 24 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 10 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 4.6 K/km
Little Rock, AR (KBYH), 00:00Z
4.7 hours after it, 148 km from the path. May 3, 2019.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -57186 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 1377 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 914 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 21 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 24 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 10 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 14 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.1
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 5.1 K/km
The surface observations
Searcy Municipal Airport (M07) (SRC), 30 km from the path, in the two hours either side.
| Time (UTC) | Temp (°F) | Dew point (°F) | Wind | Gust (kt) | Pressure (mb) | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00 UTC |
From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.
The radar
The Little Rock radar (KLZK), 66 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 19:20 UTC.
Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track
Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.
This ground now
The live radar over the trackEvery 2019 tornado in ArkansasEvery tornado in Arkansas since 1950Warnings in force in Arkansas nowThe forecast where you are
The other tornadoes of May 2, 2019
15 more were confirmed in the United States that day.
| Date | Time | Rating | Where | Path (mi) | Width (yd) | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2 | 6:30 AM CDT | EF1 | Shelby, TX | 0.6 | 118 | $10,000 | ||
| May 2 | 6:40 AM CDT | EF1 | De Soto Parish, LA | 1.0 | 240 | $10,000 | ||
| May 2 | 7:08 AM CDT | EF1 | De Soto Parish, LA | 0.2 | 330 | $150,000 | ||
| May 2 | 12:37 PM CDT | EF1 | Pulaski, AR | 1.5 | 200 | $100,000 | ||
| May 2 | 1:14 PM CDT | EF0 | Pulaski, AR | 5.1 | 500 | $100,000 | ||
| May 2 | 1:26 PM CDT | EF0 | Pulaski, AR | 3.7 | 80 | |||
| May 2 | 1:33 PM CDT | EF0 | Pulaski, AR | 1.0 | 50 | $30,000 | ||
| May 2 | 1:35 PM CDT | EF0 | Faulkner, AR | 0.7 | 50 | $1,000 | ||
| May 2 | 2:40 PM CDT | EF0 | Jackson, AR | 0.2 | 50 | |||
| May 2 | 4:29 PM CDT | EF0 | Greene, AR | 0.2 | 50 | $30,000 | ||
| May 2 | 6:02 PM CDT | EF0 | Mississippi, AR | 0.2 | 50 | $1,000 | ||
| May 2 | 6:11 PM CDT | EF0 | Pemiscot, MO | 2.8 | 150 | $5,000 | ||
| May 2 | 6:20 PM CDT | EF0 | Obion, TN | 0.2 | 100 | $5,000 | ||
| May 2 | 6:43 PM CDT | EF0 | Obion, TN | 0.1 | 100 | $5,000 | ||
| May 2 | 9:20 PM CDT | Unrated | Val Verde, TX | 0.4 | 10 |
What this means
Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.
Sources
NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.