Howell County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Missouri Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Howell County is lower than Missouri average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Howell County is about the same as Missouri average and is much higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #31
| Howell County | 0.10 |
| Missouri | 0.70 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Howell County | 0.0000 |
| Missouri | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #39
| Howell County | 213.69 |
| Missouri | 214.01 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 11,917 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Howell County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 0 | Cold: | 6 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 19 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 1,792 | Hail: | 4,945 | Heat: | 44 | Heavy Snow: | 10 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 14 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 10 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 4,779 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 13 | Winter Storm: | 42 | Winter Weather: | 7 |
| Other: | 236 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Howell County.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near Howell County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 40.9 | 1974-08-11 | 3.6 | 4 | 36.92 | -91.17 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 83 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Howell County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 3.1 | 1961-03-12 | 2 | 36°42'N / 92°02'W | 36°47'N / 91°49'W | 13.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Howell |
| 4.5 | 1976-02-21 | 2 | 36°43'N / 91°51'W | 0.90 Mile | 70 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Howell | |
| 6.4 | 1955-11-16 | 2 | 36°40'N / 91°54'W | 36°42'N / 91°50'W | 4.30 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Howell |
| 6.6 | 1973-05-07 | 2 | 36°44'N / 92°04'W | 36°45'N / 91°56'W | 7.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Howell |
| 7.0 | 2009-05-08 | 3 | 36°52'N / 91°55'W | 36°53'N / 91°53'W | 2.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0K | Howell |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that an EF-3 tornado impacted a rural area just north of Pomona. The tornado destroyed a frame home. Several cars were thrown 50 yards while two school buses were knocked over. One mobile home and one travel trailer were destroyed, and two outbuildings along with an auto shop were destroyed. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An intense squall line impacted extreme southeast Kansas and the Missouri Ozarks with mainly damaging winds. However, 19 tornadoes along with large hail was also observed. Due to the straight line nature of the winds, damage was widespread and intense. | |||||||||||
| 7.9 | 1982-04-02 | 4 | 36°37'N / 92°06'W | 36°45'N / 91°51'W | 14.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 2 | 28 | 25.0M | 0 | Howell |
| 10.3 | 2007-03-01 | 3 | 36°36'N / 92°07'W | 36°42'N / 91°52'W | 14.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 0 | 750K | 0K | Howell |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This is an extension of the Ozark County tornado. A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that a large tornado ripped through rural sections of southwest Howell County, Missouri. The community of Caulfield experienced a direct hit. Numerous farms and structures were damaged or destroyed. One fatality occurred as the tornado ripped through a mobile home northeast of Caulfield. Four other injuries occurred in the same mobile home. The tornado lifted approximately one mile southwest of the West Plains city limits. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several severe thunderstorms impacted southern Missouri during the morning hours of March 1st. A classic supercell moved from northern Arkansas and into Ozark and Howell counties. This storm produced an EF-3 tornado that touched down southwest of Caulfield, Missouri, and tracked to areas southwest of West Plains, Missouri. One fatality occurred from this storm as the tornado ripped through a mobile home in rural Howell County. | |||||||||||
| 11.2 | 1968-06-24 | 2 | 36°42'N / 92°04'W | 0.20 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Howell | |
| 11.6 | 1961-05-07 | 3 | 36°37'N / 92°00'W | 36°38'N / 91°58'W | 1.90 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Howell |
| 12.5 | 1982-04-16 | 2 | 36°54'N / 91°59'W | 37°00'N / 91°41'W | 14.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Howell |
| 12.8 | 1961-03-12 | 2 | 36°38'N / 92°07'W | 36°42'N / 92°02'W | 6.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 1 | 11 | 250K | 0 | Howell |
| 13.4 | 1967-12-20 | 2 | 36°53'N / 92°04'W | 37°01'N / 91°55'W | 12.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Howell |
| 15.0 | 1967-12-21 | 2 | 36°42'N / 91°38'W | 1.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Oregon | |
| 15.3 | 1961-05-07 | 3 | 36°35'N / 92°07'W | 36°37'N / 92°00'W | 6.80 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Howell |
| 16.7 | 1961-03-12 | 2 | 36°37'N / 92°08'W | 36°38'N / 92°07'W | 1.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ozark |
| 17.3 | 2002-04-27 | 2 | 37°01'N / 91°59'W | 37°01'N / 91°57'W | 1.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.5M | 0 | Howell |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado, plus associated destructive convergent winds around the tornadic circulation, caused extensive damage from 2 miles west of the Willow Springs Highway Patrol Headquarters, northeast to a mile and a half northeast of Willow Springs along Highway 378. Although the tornadic circulation was only 100 yards wide, it caused damage up to 300 yards wide. Large, century year old oak trees were uprooted throughout the area. West of the Willow Springs Highway Patrol Headquarters, a bass boat was thrown across two pastures and over two fences. A barn near this pasture was damaged. Troop G Headquarters had their 365' radio tower blown down. The tower landed on a home in the Hickory Hills Subdivision in Willow Springs. Four homes loss shingles and two homes completely lost their roofs. A church was rotated 45 degrees off its foundation and cemetery headstones were toppled. The worst damage occurred on a hilltop north of Willow Springs where a home was almost completely destroyed along with numerous outbuildings in a half mile area. | |||||||||||
| 17.6 | 1959-03-14 | 2 | 36°30'N / 91°48'W | 36°35'N / 91°43'W | 7.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Howell |
| 18.7 | 1976-02-21 | 2 | 37°00'N / 91°42'W | 0.90 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Howell | |
| 18.7 | 2009-05-08 | 2 | 37°00'N / 91°49'W | 37°03'N / 91°42'W | 7.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.0M | 0K | Howell |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that an EF-2 tornado tracked across rural sections of northern Howell County. The tornado damaged several homes and outbuildings. Numerous trees were also uprooted from the tornado. This tornado continued into southeastern Texas County. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An intense squall line impacted extreme southeast Kansas and the Missouri Ozarks with mainly damaging winds. However, 19 tornadoes along with large hail was also observed. Due to the straight line nature of the winds, damage was widespread and intense. | |||||||||||
| 19.6 | 1982-04-02 | 4 | 36°34'N / 92°13'W | 36°37'N / 92°06'W | 6.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Ozark |
| 20.4 | 1959-03-14 | 2 | 36°28'N / 91°51'W | 36°30'N / 91°48'W | 3.60 Miles | 417 Yards | 1 | 15 | 25K | 0 | Fulton |
| 21.2 | 1979-04-11 | 3 | 37°01'N / 92°07'W | 37°02'N / 92°06'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Douglas | ||
| 22.2 | 1961-05-07 | 3 | 36°32'N / 92°15'W | 36°35'N / 92°07'W | 8.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Ozark |
| 23.9 | 1984-10-18 | 3 | 36°46'N / 91°31'W | 36°52'N / 91°24'W | 10.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Oregon |
| 24.7 | 1968-06-24 | 2 | 36°30'N / 91°36'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Oregon | |
| 26.8 | 1982-04-02 | 3 | 36°26'N / 92°07'W | 1.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 2 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Fulton | |
| 27.5 | 1970-07-19 | 3 | 36°42'N / 91°24'W | 5.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Oregon | |
| 27.9 | 1961-05-07 | 3 | 36°30'N / 92°18'W | 36°32'N / 92°15'W | 3.60 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ozark |
| 28.6 | 1982-12-02 | 2 | 36°58'N / 92°20'W | 37°04'N / 92°17'W | 6.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Douglas |
| 30.1 | 1982-12-24 | 2 | 36°48'N / 92°32'W | 36°57'N / 92°18'W | 14.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Douglas |
| 30.1 | 1966-12-08 | 2 | 37°06'N / 92°15'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Texas | |
| 30.5 | 1982-12-24 | 4 | 36°30'N / 91°31'W | 36°48'N / 91°12'W | 25.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Oregon |
| 31.3 | 1982-12-02 | 2 | 37°04'N / 92°17'W | 37°10'N / 92°14'W | 7.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | Wright |
| 32.1 | 1974-04-13 | 2 | 37°11'N / 92°00'W | 37°17'N / 91°58'W | 7.10 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Texas |
| 32.4 | 2009-05-08 | 2 | 37°04'N / 91°39'W | 37°12'N / 91°22'W | 17.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 50K | 13.0M | Shannon |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado is a continuation of the southeastern Texas County tornado. A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that an EF-2 tornado entered rural west central Shannon County from southeastern Texas County. This tornado tracked across forested areas of west central and central Shannon County, uprooting and snapping numerous trees. The Missouri Department of Conservation announced that the tornado and other high winds from this event resulted in $13M of damage to trees. The tornado also damaged a sawmill along its path. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An intense squall line impacted extreme southeast Kansas and the Missouri Ozarks with mainly damaging winds. However, 19 tornadoes along with large hail was also observed. Due to the straight line nature of the winds, damage was widespread and intense. | |||||||||||
| 32.6 | 1968-06-24 | 2 | 37°12'N / 92°01'W | 37°16'N / 92°02'W | 4.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Texas |
| 32.8 | 2001-02-24 | 2 | 36°16'N / 91°58'W | 36°20'N / 91°52'W | 8.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Fulton |
| Brief Description: A strong tornado was spawned in southern Fulton County about 3 miles west of Union. The tornado moved quickly northeast, and caused considerable damage. Roofs were damaged at several homes, with a dairly barn heavily damaged. Three mobile homes were destroyed. In one of the mobile homes about 5.5 miles southwest of Salem, four people were injured. An 18 month old boy died from his injuries the next day after being transported to a hospital in Little Rock. There was extensive tree damage, with many cedar trees twisted or downed. The tornado travelled about 8 miles before dissipating 3.8 miles southwest of Salem. | |||||||||||
| 32.8 | 1968-06-24 | 2 | 36°18'N / 92°10'W | 36°23'N / 92°06'W | 6.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Fulton |
| 32.9 | 1974-04-13 | 2 | 37°01'N / 92°26'W | 37°06'N / 92°18'W | 9.20 Miles | 177 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Wright |
| 33.1 | 1982-12-24 | 4 | 36°15'N / 91°36'W | 36°30'N / 91°31'W | 15.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Fulton |
| 33.6 | 1984-10-18 | 3 | 36°52'N / 91°24'W | 37°05'N / 91°16'W | 16.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 1 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Shannon |
| 34.3 | 1979-04-11 | 3 | 37°02'N / 92°06'W | 37°30'N / 91°50'W | 35.40 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | Texas |
| 34.4 | 1990-05-12 | 2 | 37°04'N / 92°26'W | 37°05'N / 92°20'W | 8.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Wright |
| 34.7 | 1973-05-07 | 2 | 36°28'N / 92°23'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Baxter | |
| 36.0 | 1968-05-15 | 3 | 36°23'N / 92°23'W | 36°23'N / 92°15'W | 7.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 3 | 25 | 25K | 0 | Baxter |
| 36.1 | 2006-09-22 | 2 | 36°21'N / 91°33'W | 36°24'N / 91°23'W | 5.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fulton |
| Brief Description: A strong tornado was spawned in eastern Fulton County. The tornado tracked from 5 miles east of Saddle to 7.5 miles southeast of Mammoth Spring. The tornado destroyed a home, and caused damage to several other homes. Hundreds of trees were downed, with one tree on a pickup truck. The tornado continued into northern Sharp County. | |||||||||||
| 36.3 | 2006-09-22 | 2 | 36°23'N / 91°28'W | 36°26'N / 91°22'W | 7.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Sharp |
| Brief Description: A strong tornado moved from eastern Fulton County into northern Sharp County. The tornado tracked from 5 miles southwest of Wirth to 1.8 miles east of Wirth. The tornado badly damaged two barns, with minor damaged at several residences. Three stock trailers were also overturned. Dozens of trees were downed, along with power poles and power lines. The tornado continued into Randolph County of the Memphis County Warning Area. | |||||||||||
| 37.1 | 1982-12-24 | 2 | 36°47'N / 92°35'W | 36°48'N / 92°32'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Ozark |
| 37.3 | 2005-11-05 | 2 | 36°31'N / 91°23'W | 36°35'N / 91°10'W | 9.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.5M | 0 | Oregon |
| Brief Description: A National Weather Service storm survey team revealed that an F-2 tornado touched down 9 miles east of Thayer near Highway V. The tornado continued on a path 300 yards wide to 8 miles northeast of Myrtle. Two mobile homes were destroyed and several other homes were heavily damaged along the tornado path. | |||||||||||
| 38.0 | 1985-11-18 | 3 | 36°18'N / 92°29'W | 36°27'N / 92°14'W | 21.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 3 | 25.0M | 0 | Baxter |
| 38.8 | 1975-09-11 | 2 | 37°20'N / 91°58'W | 0.30 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Texas | |
| 39.1 | 1982-12-02 | 2 | 37°10'N / 92°14'W | 37°24'N / 92°10'W | 10.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Texas |
| 39.4 | 1973-11-24 | 2 | 37°09'N / 91°21'W | 1.00 Mile | 60 Yards | 3 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Shannon | |
| 39.7 | 1996-03-24 | 2 | 36°09'N / 91°55'W | 36°15'N / 91°48'W | 11.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 180K | 0 | Izard |
| Brief Description: The tornado touched down 4 1/2 miles south of Oxford where it damaged several homes and outbuildings. A mobile home was also flipped over. The tornado remained on the ground for approximately 11 miles before lifting 1 1/2 miles north-northeast of Wiseman. Several other homes and businesses sustained roof damage. Another mobile home was destroyed. A number of trees and power lines were also knocked down along the tornado's path. Damage along the track of the tornado was mostly F1. However, some structural damage was consistent with an F2 rating. Initial estimates place the amount of damage at around $175,000. | |||||||||||
| 39.7 | 1957-05-13 | 2 | 36°12'N / 91°55'W | 2.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Izard | |
| 39.7 | 1982-12-24 | 2 | 36°30'N / 91°17'W | 36°43'N / 91°07'W | 16.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Oregon |
| 40.8 | 1961-05-07 | 3 | 36°12'N / 92°30'W | 36°30'N / 92°18'W | 23.50 Miles | 333 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Marion |
| 40.9 | 1988-03-24 | 2 | 37°20'N / 91°55'W | 37°24'N / 91°47'W | 12.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Texas |
| 41.0 | 1971-12-14 | 3 | 36°18'N / 92°33'W | 36°22'N / 92°13'W | 19.10 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Baxter |
| 41.3 | 1982-12-02 | 3 | 36°11'N / 91°37'W | 36°18'N / 91°29'W | 9.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 3 | 25.0M | 0 | Sharp |
| 41.4 | 1990-05-12 | 2 | 37°04'N / 92°39'W | 37°04'N / 92°26'W | 10.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Douglas |
| 41.5 | 1982-12-24 | 4 | 36°11'N / 91°37'W | 36°15'N / 91°36'W | 5.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Sharp |
| 41.6 | 1968-06-24 | 2 | 36°10'N / 92°16'W | 36°18'N / 92°10'W | 10.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 3K | 0 | Baxter |
| 41.7 | 1950-03-26 | 3 | 36°09'N / 91°50'W | 36°12'N / 91°45'W | 5.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Izard |
| 42.4 | 2008-02-05 | 3 | 36°09'N / 91°40'W | 36°17'N / 91°28'W | 15.00 Miles | 580 Yards | 0 | 15 | 30.0M | 0K | Sharp |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado moved out of Izard County, south of Horseshoe Bend, and into Sharp County, northwest of Evening Shade. According to a survey by the Red Cross, 30 houses were destroyed, 7 suffered major damage, 17 had minor damage, and 11 others were affected. In addition, 10 mobile homes were destroyed, 1 had major damage, 2 had minor damage, and 1 was affected. Two apartments had minor damage and two others were affected. At least 40 businesses along U.S. Highway 62/412 in Highland were damaged or destroyed. Also, a church was destroyed and vehicles were overturned along the highway. The fire department in Highland lost most of its building and equipment. The Highland High School had minor damage. The tornado finally ended its long path northeast of Highland. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Early on the 5th, a strong storm system approached from the Plains. Ahead of the system, breezy southerly winds provided well above normal temperatures and abundant moisture. Warmth and moisture destabilized the atmosphere and fueled developing thunderstorms. A cold front moved across the state causing numerous severe storms and several tornadoes. One of the tornadoes tracked from Yell County to Sharp County, staying on the ground for 121.84 miles. This track length set a record for the longest tornado path ever recorded in Arkansas. The continuous track was confirmed by two National Weather Service meteorologists who flew the track with the Civil Air Patrol. The final track was based on ground surveys, the Civil Air Patrol flight, and an aerial mapping flight performed for the Arkansas Forestry Commission. | |||||||||||
| 42.8 | 1954-03-25 | 4 | 37°19'N / 92°14'W | 37°22'N / 92°10'W | 4.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 2 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Texas |
| 43.6 | 1950-12-02 | 3 | 36°07'N / 91°50'W | 36°11'N / 91°43'W | 7.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Izard |
| 43.7 | 1957-05-21 | 2 | 36°48'N / 92°48'W | 36°52'N / 92°33'W | 14.50 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Taney |
| 43.8 | 1974-04-13 | 2 | 36°57'N / 92°39'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Douglas | |
| 44.0 | 1982-12-24 | 2 | 36°43'N / 91°07'W | 36°48'N / 91°04'W | 7.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Ripley |
| 44.9 | 1982-12-02 | 2 | 36°46'N / 91°05'W | 36°49'N / 91°04'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ripley |
| 45.5 | 1982-12-24 | 4 | 36°48'N / 91°12'W | 37°05'N / 90°59'W | 18.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Carter |
| 45.7 | 1954-03-25 | 4 | 37°22'N / 92°10'W | 37°27'N / 92°05'W | 7.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Texas |
| 46.1 | 1957-05-21 | 4 | 36°57'N / 91°10'W | 37°00'N / 91°01'W | 9.10 Miles | 500 Yards | 7 | 75 | 250K | 0 | Carter |
| 46.9 | 2008-02-05 | 2 | 36°16'N / 92°31'W | 36°19'N / 92°27'W | 5.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 1 | 35 | 15.8M | 0K | Baxter |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado moved from Marion County, north-northeast of Rea Valley, into Baxter County, just east-southeast of Cotter. A survey by the Red Cross indicated 21 houses were destroyed, 23 suffered major damage, 35 had minor damage, and 147 others were affected. In addition, 9 mobile homes were destroyed, 12 suffered major damage, 10 had minor damage, and 10 others were affected. One fatality occurred in a mobile home park. Most of the residential structures were in the area around Gassville. A number of businesses in Gassville, along U.S. Highway 62/412, were damaged. Numerous trees, power lines, and power poles were blown down. The tornado dissipated before reaching Mountain Home. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Early on the 5th, a strong storm system approached from the Plains. Ahead of the system, breezy southerly winds provided well above normal temperatures and abundant moisture. Warmth and moisture destabilized the atmosphere and fueled developing thunderstorms. A cold front moved across the state causing numerous severe storms and several tornadoes. One of the tornadoes tracked from Yell County to Sharp County, staying on the ground for 121.84 miles. This track length set a record for the longest tornado path ever recorded in Arkansas. The continuous track was confirmed by two National Weather Service meteorologists who flew the track with the Civil Air Patrol. The final track was based on ground surveys, the Civil Air Patrol flight, and an aerial mapping flight performed for the Arkansas Forestry Commission. | |||||||||||
| 47.2 | 1960-05-06 | 2 | 36°56'N / 92°46'W | 36°57'N / 92°40'W | 5.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Douglas |
| 47.6 | 2005-11-05 | 2 | 36°33'N / 91°09'W | 36°33'N / 91°00'W | 7.40 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 75K | 0 | Ripley |
| Brief Description: The tornado entered southwest Ripley County from Oregon County. A home and a barn received extensive damage in the community of Tucker, near where the tornado reached its peak intensity and width. Peak winds were estimated near 120 MPH. Average path width was 150 yards. | |||||||||||
| 47.8 | 2005-11-27 | 2 | 36°32'N / 91°06'W | 36°41'N / 91°00'W | 12.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 1 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ripley |
| Brief Description: The tornado destroyed a permanent home and a mobile home. Major damage occurred to two other permanent homes. The sole fatality occurred about midway between Gatewood and Briar, where a two-story house was destroyed. The victim was sleeping on the second floor at the time. His body was found in a field about 75 yards from the residence. Two people on the first floor of the house escaped from under the debris without injury. Two mobile homes were unroofed. Many trees were snapped or uprooted. Several trees blocked U.S. Route 160 where the tornado crossed it. Much of the tornado's path was in the Mark Twain National Forest. The average path width was 200 yards. Peak wind speeds were estimated near 140 MPH. The strongest winds and widest path extended from near Tucker to the destroyed house (midway between Briar and Gatewood). M62PH | |||||||||||
| 47.8 | 2005-11-05 | 2 | 36°14'N / 91°22'W | 36°16'N / 91°17'W | 4.80 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Sharp |
| Brief Description: A strong tornado touched down briefly in Sharp County about a mile southwest of Sitka. Estimated winds with the tornado were about 115 mph. The worst damage noted was at the intersection of Lone Oak Road and Summerfield Creek Road. One mobile home was demolished, with contents strewn well across a field. Another mobile home was damaged. A storage shed was thrown across a street into the trees and a travel trailer was overturned. A vacant house was destroyed by falling trees. Five vehicles were damaged with windows being blown out. Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped off along the path of the tornado. Three people sustained injuries. The tornado was on the ground for almost five miles before dissipating. | |||||||||||
| 48.3 | 1956-02-14 | 2 | 36°04'N / 91°54'W | 36°05'N / 91°50'W | 4.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Izard |
| 48.6 | 1982-12-24 | 2 | 36°48'N / 91°04'W | 36°57'N / 90°58'W | 10.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 1 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Carter |
| 48.7 | 1982-12-02 | 2 | 36°49'N / 91°04'W | 36°57'N / 90°58'W | 9.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Carter |
| 48.9 | 1996-04-14 | 4 | 35°56'N / 92°06'W | 36°12'N / 91°43'W | 28.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 2 | 30 | 5.0M | 0 | Izard |
| Brief Description: The Stone County tornado moved into Izard County at Sylamore at 739 pm CDT. The tornado destroyed several cabins. Luckily, the cabins were evacuated before the tornado arrived. Just east of the cabins, the tornado moved into a small subdivision where several homes were damaged and one destroyed. Two occupants in the destroyed home were thrown several hundred feet and killed. The storm continued to track northeastward along Highway 9, where isolated damage was noted. The tornado reached Melbourne around 800 pm CDT, damaging or destroying a number of homes and businesses. A Ford dealership was destroyed with a number of new cars totalled. A housing project and local community college were also damaged in Melbourne. The tornado continued northeast toward the town of Franklin and then lifted 3 miles southeast of Horseshoe Bend. Some downed trees were the only noted damage along the last few miles of the tornado's path. 30 people sustained minor injuries from the storm. Damage along the track of the tornado was mostly F3. However, some damage was consistant with an F4 rating. Initial estimates place the amount of damage at $5,000,000. M54PH, F50PH | |||||||||||
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.