Thunderstorm Wind — Desha, Arkansas

2019-06-19 · near Halley, Desha, Arkansas

Event narrative

Damage across southern Desha County was determined to be the result of winds estimated at 75 to 80 mph. Several large trees were blown down or snapped and power lines and power poles were damaged heavily as well...blocking roads.

Wider weather episode

Severe weather returned on the 19th, and one of the largest severe weather events in Arkansas of 2019 unfolded. The event began with softball size hail or larger around Vandervoort and Cove (both in Polk County) between 630 pm and 700 pm CDT. Evidence from photos showed that some hailstones were close to five inches in diameter, potentially tying the state record set on January 21, 1999 and April 2, 2006. Records go back to the 1950s.

As the evening progressed, two clusters of storms evolved across the central and southern counties. They moved quickly to the east at 50 to more than 60 mph. This usually increases the chances of wind damage.

Trees and/or power lines were downed at many locations including Camden (Ouachita County), Harrell (Calhoun County), Little Rock (Pulaski County), Mount Ida and Norman (both in Montgomery County), Cabot and Lonoke (both in Lonoke County), Florence and Montongo (both in Drew County), and McGehee (Desha County).

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.5400, -91.3200)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 834159. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.