EF3 Tornado — Desha, Arkansas

2007-02-24 · near Dumas, Desha, Arkansas

Event narrative

The tornado moved out of Lincoln County and into Desha County about 6 miles southwest of Dumas. The tornado continued to track northeastward and moved across the southeast portion of the city of Dumas and produced significant damage. In Dumas, 25 businesses were destroyed, along with 19 homes. More than 65 additional homes sustained minor to moderate damage. Six mobile homes were destroyed, along with an athletic park. A community building sustained major damage, as well as a 20-unit assisted living center. An electrical substation was destroyed, leaving the area without power for several days. Numerous trees and power lines were also blown down. Farther to the northeast, in the community of Back Gate, 11 mobile homes were destroyed and 12 sustained minor damage. One house was destroyed, along with three that were damaged. The tornado eventually dissipated 4 miles northeast of Pendleton. Altogether, 28 people in the county were injured.

Wider weather episode

Severe thunderstorms affected parts of Central and Southeast Arkansas during the afternoon of the 24th. Several isolated supercells moved across the region and produced tornadoes.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.8187, -91.5539)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 18599. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.