EF2 Tornado — Randolph, Arkansas

2025-04-02 · near Pocahontas Muni Arpt, Randolph, Arkansas

Event narrative

A relatively wide tornado began just southeast of Pocahontas on the western side of the community of Skaggs. As the tornado moved through Skaggs it damaged several homes, most of which were characterized by extensive roof damage while compromising outside walls. Several outbuildings in the area were completely destroyed, and many large trees were uprooted. This type of damage is consistent with winds of approximately 125 mph, or EF2 in intensity. The tornado continued northeast from Skaggs, producing damage again in the community of Old Reyno, crossing the Randolph County line at County Road 109 into Clay County. Within Randolph County, this tornado tracked 12.3 miles.

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 significant damage to a church and several residences along County Road 125 between County Roads 116 and 124. Mostly tree damage was noted along County Road 131, but several utility poles were snapped on County Road 139. Numerous trees and minor structure damage occurred on the western side of Corning Lake, with the final damage points along Elm St near and just east of County Road 173. Within Clay County, this tornado tracked 12.5 miles.

In total, this tornado was rated an EF2 with maximum estimated winds of 125 mph. Total path length was 24.8 miles across Randolph and Clay Counties.

Wider weather episode

Severe weather, including widespread flash flooding occurred over a five day period across the entire state. This multiday event featured tornadoes, damaging winds, and very large hail. But by far and large, flash flooding and river flooding were the biggest impacts taken away from this unsettled period of weather due to total rainfall amounts between half a foot to over one foot in many locations.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.2349, -90.9378)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1270174. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.