EF1 tornado in Chicot County, Arkansas

A brief tornado developed near US Highway 65/US Highway 278 near Arkansas Highway 159. It collapsed the center of a metal building where only one side and the front of the building were left standing. On the backside, a shed was completely destroyed. The tornado then moved east across the highway to the Delta Spindle Building, a metal warehouse building. Here, some windows were blown out and portions of the tin roof were peeled off and blew into the tree line on the backside of the business. In addition, the tornado broke a wooden power pole in the parking lot of the Delta Spindle Building before lifting. Maximum peak winds were estimated at 99 mph.

A warm, moist airmass was in place across the region ahead of a potent January weather system. Ample wind energy also was present, which not only helped bring damaging winds with severe storms but also allowed for strong gradient winds to occur ahead of an eastward advancing squall line. Severe weather occurred in the early morning hours of January 11th and continued across the ArkLaMiss region before noon, resulting in widespread wind damage as well as some tornadoes.