EF2 tornado in Garland County, Arkansas

This tornado touched down just north of the Mountain Valley community near the intersection of Arkansas Highway 7 North and Casual Place. The tornado snapped multiple wooden utility poles in this area, indicating winds of 115 mph (EF-2) during the onset of the tornado. Extensive tree damage was noted as consistent with an EF-2 was observed as the tornado moved into the town of Hot Springs Village with an impressive number of snapped trunks and uprooted trees. Through this area, many homes sustained damage primarily from falling trees as opposed to direct tornado winds. This tornado was rated an EF-2 with maximum estimated winds of 115 mph within Garland County. This tornado continued into Saline County.

An Enhanced risk of severe weather was issued for a large part of northern and western Arkansas. The Enhanced risk would easily verify as a cold front careened into an unstable atmosphere in place across Arkansas. On March 14th, thunderstorms quickly developed ahead of the front with powerful updrafts and limited shear, but enough shear to produce a tornado in Hot Springs Village. Large hail and damaging winds became widespread across much of the state and the event turned into a flash flooding event as storms trained over the same locations across parts of central and southern Arkansas with efficient rainfall rates conducive for flash flooding.