NWS Damage Survey For 03/28/20 Tornado Event

Massive EF-3 Tornado in Jonesboro, AR 

.OVERVIEW...

A supercell thunderstorm produced several tornadoes in east-

central and northeast Arkansas. The most significant tornado

impacted the city of Jonesboro.

.Tornado in Craighead County Arkansas...

Rating:                 EF3

Estimated Peak Wind:    140 mph

Path Length /Statute/:  12.55 miles

Path Width /Maximum/:   600 yards

Fatalities:             0

Injuries:               22

Start Date:             03/28/2020

Start Time:             04:58 PM CDT

Start Location:         2.1 SSE Jonesboro / Craighead County / AR

Start Lat/Lon:          35.8094 / -90.6852

End Date:               03/28/2020

End Time:               05:14 PM CDT

End Location:           3.4 NE Brookland / Craighead County / AR

End Lat/Lon:            35.9340 / -90.5227

SURVEY SUMMARY:

This tornado developed just north of I-555 and west of Caraway Road.

The tornado quickly intensified and caused EF2 damage near the

intersection of Caraway Rd. and Race St. The tornado weakened slightly,

but produced EF2 damage again at the Mall at Turtle Creek. The tornado

reached its most intense stage as it approached and moved across the

Jonesboro Airport. Several large industrial buildings were severely

damaged. As the tornado moved through residential areas northeast of

the airport, it caused EF2 to isolated EF3 damage to homes. The tornado

began weakening after it crossed Highway 49 northeast of Jonesboro,

with the final damage observed to the northeast of Brookland.

.Tornado in Greene County Arkansas...

Rating:                 EF1

Estimated Peak Wind:    90 mph

Path Length /Statute/:  2.98 miles

Path Width /Maximum/:   100 yards

Fatalities:             0

Injuries:               0

Start Date:             03/28/2020

Start Time:             05:25 PM CDT

Start Location:         6.4 E Paragould / Greene County / AR

Start Lat/Lon:          36.0500 / -90.3808

End Date:               03/28/2020

End Time:               05:30 PM CDT

End Location:           8.6 ENE Paragould / Greene County / AR

End Lat/Lon:            36.0803 / -90.3431

SURVEY SUMMARY:

This tornado developed south of U.S. Highway 412 and west of County

Road 934. The tornado overturned a center pivot irrigation system. As

it crossed Highway 412, it damaged an industrial building and a grain

bin. West of Highway 119, the tornado damaged trees, storage buildings,

and a mobile home. The last damage was observed to trees along

Highway 119.

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the

following categories:

EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph

EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph

EF2...Strong. ..111 to 135 mph

EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph

EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph

EF5...Violent...> 200 mph

NOTE: Information in this statement is preliminary and subject to

change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS

Storm Data.