EF3 Tornado — Van Buren, Arkansas

2010-04-30 · near Liberty Spgs, Van Buren, Arkansas

Event narrative

This tornado exited Conway County north of Cleveland and entered Van Buren County south-southeast of Liberty Springs. The tornado, rated EF3 in Van Buren County, caused extensive damage to the town of Scotland, especially in areas along Lo Gap Road. A 67 year-old woman was killed when she was thrown from her home. Approximately 15 others were injured. A damage assessment by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management indicated 13 homes (including houses and mobile homes) destroyed, 3 homes with major damage, 7 homes with minor damage, and 11 homes affected. In addition, Scotland's community center was destroyed, and barns, outbuildings, and a gas well were damaged. Thousands of trees and numerous power lines were blown down.

Wider weather episode

Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico surged into Arkansas at the end of April, so conditions in the state became warm and humid. On the 30th, a strong area of low pressure aloft approached from the west, resulting in the development of thunderstorms. Wind shear, a change in wind direction and speed with height, was present. This created a favorable environment for the formation of tornadoes.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.4603, -92.7155)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 219252. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.