Craighead County, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – A line of severe thunderstorms hit Craighead County and greater Northeast Arkansas Sunday night, causing damage across the region.
The National Weather Service sent survey teams to assess damage in the affected areas, including Craighead County. In Craighead County, the National Weather Service said there was a “broad swath of non-tornado damage” east of Jonesboro.
In a public information statement issued March 18 at 3:45 p.m., the NWS said damaging winds affected central and eastern portions of the county, with the Jonesboro Regional Airport recording a wind gust of 75 mph on Sunday, March 15 at 6:18 p.m.
“Fairly widespread wind gusts to 60 to 80 mph were likely across the eastern half of Craighead County. No tornado-related damage was observed in this area,” the statement said.
As storms moved through the area Sunday night, several tornado warnings were issued as the night went on. Warnings were issued for northwestern Craighead County, near Bono and Egypt, and later northeastern Craighead County near Brookland.
Power was knocked out for thousands on Sunday night, and downed power lines, tree damage, and some property damage were reported. Crews were continuing to work to restore power on Monday and Tuesday.
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Several other areas in Northeast Arkansas were hit with tornadoes Sunday night. The NWS reported an EF-1 tornado hit near Lafe in Greene County, estimating peak winds at 90 mph. Another EF-1 tornado struck Rector in Clay County, and its peak winds were also estimated to be 90 mph. An EF-1 tornado, with peak winds around 105 mph, hit Minturn in Lawrence County.
Wednesday afternoon, the NWS reported two more tornadoes in Greene County, an EF-0 in Beech Grove, estimating peak winds at 80 mph. Light also saw an EF-0 tornado, with its peak winds estimated at 85 mph.
No injuries or deaths were reported with any of the storms.
The Enhanced Fujita Scale, or EF Scale, classifies tornadoes into the following categories:
- EF-0: Peak winds 65 to 85 mph
- EF-1: Peak winds 86 to 110 mph
- EF-2: Peak winds 111 to 135 mph
- EF-3: Peak winds 136 to 165 mph
- EF-4: Peak winds 166 to 200 mph
- EF-5: Peak winds exceeding 200 mph
Below is a photo gallery of the storms and damage across Northeast Arkansas, submitted by JRN readers.
UPDATE: This story was updated to reflect additional information regarding wind damage in Craighead County from the National Weather Service, as well as confirmation of two more tornadoes in Greene County.
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