BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, — The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed at least four tornadoes in Benton County on Sunday, May 26 — two in Decatur and two in Centerton.
NWS has been providing daily updated reports on how many tornadoes hit the Northwest Arkansas region over Memorial Day weekend. Although there are only four confirmed tornadoes in Benton County at the moment, there could be more confirmed tornadoes in the coming days.
Decatur tornadoes
Tornado 1
- Rating: EF-3
- Peak wind: 145-155 mph
- Path length: 7.9 miles
- Path width: 3,200 yards
According to NWS, the tornado began in Cherokee City, Okla., around 1 a.m. and ended in Decatur, Ark., around 1:20 a.m.
NWS said the tornado traveled 7.9 miles and was 3,200 yards wide with 145 to 154 mph winds.
“It damaged several homes, destroyed outbuildings, snapped and uprooted trees, and snapped power poles as it moved northeast into Arkansas, crossing near Welch Road [in Gentry],” the report said.
The tornado then moved into Decatur around Coon’s Hollow Road and Carlton Drive, where homes were destroyed.
According to the report, the tornado remained stationary north of Highway 102, destroying more homes and uprooting more trees.
From there, NWS believes the tornado turned north-northeast and dissipated on Mount Zion Road.
NWS said this tornado caused at least two injuries. No fatalities were reported in this specific path.
Tornado 2
- Rating: EF-2
- Peak wind: 120-130 mph
- Path length: 5.4 miles
- Path width: 650 yards
This tornado began in Decatur south of Falling Springs Road at 1:06 a.m., causing extensive damage to trees, power poles, and homes through Iva Road
The tornado then turned east, then northeast as it approached Highway 59. NWS says this tornado damaged homes and storage buildings before moving northeast and dissipating after crossing Little John Road in Decatur at 1:20 a.m.
No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Centerton tornadoes
Tornado 3
- Rating: EF-1
- Peak wind: 90 to 100 mph
- Path length: 2.3 miles
- Path width: 600 yards
According to the NWS, this tornado developed west of N Tycoon Road in Centerton at 1:23 a.m. and moved northeast across Bush Road where it damaged roofs of homes and businesses and uprooted trees before ending at 1:28 a.m.
Tornado 4
- Rating: EF-2
- Peak wind: 115 to 125 mph
- Path length: 2.4 miles
- Path width: 1,500 yards
The second tornado in this area also ended in Centerton, developing over Paw Paw Hollow, just south of Byers Road at 1:24 a.m. It severely damaged one home in particular and damaged others, and snapped and uprooted trees, according to the NWS. It dissipated north of Bethlehem Road at 1:28 a.m.
Additional reports
The NWS said extensive wind damage in Bentonville and Rogers led them to estimate more tornadoes touched down there, as well.
“Based on our survey, combined with a review of radar data, we believe the fatality that occurred in a mobile home east of Rogers and near Beaver Lake was the result of straight-line wind damage from the rear flank downdraft,” the NWS said.
Wind speeds in Benton County were 80 to 95 miles per hour based on the damage, according to the preliminary report.
