Craighead storm history
Storm events recorded in Craighead, Arkansas between 1950 and 2025.
861
Total events
52
Tornadoes
191
Hail
89
Floods
46
Deaths
$350.5M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
The tornado moved into Craighead county and intensified as it crossed I-555, snapping utility poles along Highway 463 and derailing a train on Main Street just southeast of Bay, AR. The tornado snapped additional wooden utility poles along Highway 158 east of Bay and gained stren…
The tornado produced its first damage north of Bay, damaging storage and outbuildings. The tornado gradually strengthened and destroyed a farm tractor storage building along Highway 135 northwest of Lake City. The tornado possibly weakened slightly as it crossed the St. Francis R…
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 reach…
Tornado F3 Tornado
Tornado F3 Tornado
Straight line winds produced widespread wind damage across Craighead County. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down. Some trees fell onto vehicles, homes and across roads producing damage. One tree fell onto a home in Jonesboro killing the occupant. Shingles were also b…
Heat index readings ranged between 110 and 115 degrees during the afternoon and early evening hours.
Heavy rain produced flash flooding across Northern Craighead County in Eastern Arkansas. County roads 785, 791 and 792 along with Highway 49 were flooded. A sport utility vehicle was pulling into a flooded driveway off county road 785, which had a bridge over a creek, and was swe…
Heavy rain produced flash flooding in northern parts of Jonesboro in Eastern Arkansas. A boy was swept into a drainage ditch near Burke Avenue and Vine Street and was killed. Several homes were flooded along Burke Avenue and North Patrick Street.
A half inch to an inch of ice fell across Craighead County. Widespread power outages occurred. Three shelters were opened. Roads impassable.
Dust reduced visibilities to near zero on Highway 226 near Cash. A fatal three car accident occurred as a result. Winds were gusting to 25 knots at the time of the accident.
Arctic air moved into the Midsouth during the day on December 15th, 2008. Temperatures dropped into lower 20s by the evening hours. Highs on the 16th did not reach above the upper 20s. One person died after he fell on the way to his vehicle during the late evening hours. He went …
Street flooding reported in west Jonesboro with 6 to 8 inches of water covering roadways at the intersection of Matthews and Madison roads. Several roadways across town have been closed by Law Enforcement. Stranded cars in flood water have also been reported. One child was swept …
Drought Drought
Severe Drought (D2) Conditions improved to Moderate (D1) Drought Conditions in early October in Craighead County.
Drought Drought
Severe (D2) Drought conditions were introduced early on in September. Improving conditions were observed due to beneficial rainfall and D2 conditions were removed at the end of the month.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 109 degrees.
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 107 degrees.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Maximum heat index of 114 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 106 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 105 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 109 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Maximum heat index of 110 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 105 degrees.
Heat Heat
Maximum heat index value of 106 degrees.
Heat Heat
ASOS reported a maximum heat index of 105 degrees.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A couple of large trees were knocked down by stright line winds.
Tornado EF1 Tornado
An EF1 tornado formed in a field north of County Road 618 just south of Lunsford, overturning a center-pivot irrigation system. The tornado moved northeast, snapping several power poles along County Road 817. One outbuilding and a home sustained roof damage on County Road 815. Th…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Broken power poles along CR 812 on the north side of the tornado track.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Broken power poles along CR 850 on the southeast side of the tornado track.
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 52 | 5 |
| 2024 | 30 | 0 |
| 2023 | 27 | 0 |
| 2022 | 49 | 3 |
| 2021 | 26 | 4 |
| 2020 | 29 | 5 |
| 2019 | 40 | 0 |
| 2018 | 34 | 1 |
| 2017 | 44 | 1 |
| 2016 | 16 | 0 |
| 2015 | 20 | 0 |
| 2014 | 11 | 0 |
| 2013 | 12 | 1 |
| 2012 | 22 | 0 |
| 2011 | 32 | 4 |
| 2010 | 29 | 1 |
| 2009 | 34 | 0 |
| 2008 | 50 | 0 |
| 2007 | 18 | 2 |
| 2006 | 14 | 0 |
| 2005 | 9 | 0 |
| 2004 | 11 | 0 |
| 2003 | 21 | 1 |
| 2002 | 17 | 0 |
| 2001 | 13 | 0 |
| 2000 | 16 | 1 |
| 1999 | 17 | 7 |
| 1998 | 8 | 0 |
| 1997 | 5 | 0 |
| 1996 | 8 | 0 |
| 1995 | 11 | 1 |
| 1994 | 13 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 5 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 4 | 0 |
| 1989 | 4 | 0 |
| 1988 | 2 | 0 |
| 1987 | 6 | 0 |
| 1986 | 3 | 0 |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | 9 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 7 | 3 |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 8 | 3 |
| 1977 | 7 | 1 |
| 1976 | 6 | 1 |
| 1975 | 2 | 0 |
| 1974 | 4 | 0 |
| 1973 | 5 | 1 |
| 1972 | 2 | 1 |
| 1971 | 4 | 0 |
| 1970 | 7 | 0 |
| 1969 | 4 | 0 |
| 1968 | 4 | 1 |
| 1966 | 3 | 0 |
| 1965 | 2 | 0 |
| 1964 | 2 | 0 |
| 1962 | 5 | 0 |
| 1961 | 2 | 0 |
| 1960 | 2 | 0 |
| 1957 | 3 | 1 |
| 1955 | 3 | 1 |