Strong Wind — Baxter, Arkansas

2007-04-11 · Baxter, Arkansas

Event narrative

A couple went fishing on Lake Norfork (near Jordan) in a flat-bottom johnboat-type vessel. During the day, they fished in a cove. During the afternoon, while attempting to return to their launching point, they got out into the main channel of the lake where winds were producing swells estimated up to four feet high. Waves began going over the front of the boat and eventually swamped the boat. A woman in the boat drowned and her husband was taken by helicopter to the hospital, where he was treated for hypothermia and water ingestion.

Wider weather episode

A deep low pressure system to the north of Arkansas produced strong winds over Arkansas. During the afternoon, scattered showers developed over the northern half of the state. Downdrafts associated with these showers caused winds to become even stronger in areas near the showers.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 14863. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.