Clay storm history
Storm events recorded in Clay, Arkansas between 1950 and 2025.
542
Total events
25
Tornadoes
105
Hail
36
Floods
5
Deaths
$29.2M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
Tornado F4 Tornado
The tornado started southeast of Knobel and tracked northeast. The most serious damage occurred early in the life of the tornado. Two homes were destroyed on County Road 238. Several other homes were damaged. Two trailer trucks were rolled over. As the tornado continued east it g…
The one fatality was east of Knobel Arkansas near the intersection of Highway 90 and Highway 135 in a mobile home. A few homes, trees and power poles were damaged as the tornado tracked toward the St. Francis River. The path was intermittent. The tornado continued into Dunklin Co…
A lightning fatality occurred near Highway 49, east of Rector. The lightning victim was outdoors chopping cotton when he was struck and killed.
Heavy rain during late April into the beginning of May caused the St. Francis River to rise above flood stage. The river rose to near record levels in the beginning of May and remained above flood stage through the end of May. A break in the levee in Butler County, Missouri, nort…
Two inches of ice fell across Clay County along with an additional inch of snow. Widespread power outages occurred. One shelter was opened in Piggott. Roads impassable.
A tornado briefly touched down southwest of the Corning Municipal Airport and traveled northeast across the northern portion of the airport. Two hangars were extensively damaged with a few others receiving minor damage. Many of the aircraft that were housed inside the hangar were…
Heavy rain brought the Black River near Corning to record levels in late April that continued into the beginning of May. The record crest surpassed the Flood of 1945. Shallow flooding extended for several miles away from the river. Several homes and businesses sustained minor dam…
Heavy rain brought the Black River near Corning to record levels in late April that continued into the beginning of May. The record crest surpassed the Flood of 1945. Shallow flooding extended for several miles away from the river. Several homes and businesses sustained minor dam…
The tornado developed east of Datto and moved northeast. Several homes were badly damaged. Several hangars were destroyed and some planes were destroyed at the Corning airport.
Drought Drought
Severe Drought (D2) Conditions persisted through the month of October in Clay County.
Drought Drought
Severe (D2) Drought conditions were present at the beginning of September before worsening to Extreme (D3) conditions for a brief period mid-month. Slight improvement occurred by the end of the month as D3 conditions ended, but D2 conditions prevailed and continued into October.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A couple of trees down in the city limits of Piggott.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Maximum heat index of 110 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 106 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 106 degrees.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Maximum heat index of 110 degrees.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Maximum heat index of 117 degrees.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Maximum heat index of 112 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Maximum heat index of 110 degrees.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Maximum heat index of 110 degrees.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Maximum heat index of 110 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 106 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 109 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 106 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 106.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 105 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 105 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 105 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 106 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index value of 106 degrees.
Heat Heat
AWOS reported a maximum heat index of 105 degrees.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Portions of AR HWY 49 were closed due to high water.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Portions of AR HWY 90 were closed due to high water.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Portions of AR HWY 62 were closed due to high water.
Tornado EF2 Tornado
The tornado crossed into Clay County from Randolph County at County Road 109. The tornado destroyed several grain bins as it entered Clay County. Additional damage to structures and trees was observed as the tornado moved northeast across the Heelstring area, including significan…
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 50 | 3 |
| 2024 | 27 | 0 |
| 2023 | 31 | 0 |
| 2022 | 31 | 1 |
| 2021 | 16 | 0 |
| 2020 | 12 | 0 |
| 2019 | 14 | 1 |
| 2018 | 23 | 1 |
| 2017 | 17 | 1 |
| 2016 | 8 | 0 |
| 2015 | 8 | 0 |
| 2014 | 8 | 1 |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 |
| 2012 | 19 | 2 |
| 2011 | 27 | 0 |
| 2010 | 18 | 0 |
| 2009 | 22 | 0 |
| 2008 | 18 | 0 |
| 2007 | 12 | 0 |
| 2006 | 23 | 0 |
| 2005 | 10 | 0 |
| 2004 | 8 | 3 |
| 2003 | 9 | 0 |
| 2002 | 9 | 0 |
| 2001 | 10 | 0 |
| 2000 | 16 | 0 |
| 1999 | 11 | 5 |
| 1998 | 7 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 5 | 0 |
| 1995 | 8 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 3 | 1 |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 | 6 | 1 |
| 1990 | 4 | 1 |
| 1989 | 6 | 0 |
| 1988 | 5 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | 3 | 0 |
| 1983 | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 | 2 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 2 | 0 |
| 1976 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | 1 | 1 |
| 1970 | 3 | 0 |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 | 2 | 0 |
| 1965 | 2 | 2 |
| 1964 | 1 | 1 |
| 1959 | 4 | 0 |
| 1957 | 2 | 0 |