Tornado outbreak of May 1–3, 2008

A destructive and deadly tornado outbreak that took place across the Southern and Central United States from May 1 to May 3, 2008. The outbreak was responsible for at least seven fatalities (six from tornadoes[1]) and 23 injuries in Arkansas.[2] There were at least 29 tornado reports from Iowa to Oklahoma on May 1 and 67 more in Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas on May 2.[3][4] A total of 60 tornadoes were confirmed by weather authorities.

Tornado outbreak of May 1–3, 2008
Tornado damage in Damascus, Arkansas on May 2, 2008
TypeTornado outbreak
DurationMay 1–3, 2008
Tornadoes
confirmed		60
Max. rating1EF3 tornado
Duration of
tornado outbreak2		30 hours
Fatalities6 fatalities (+1 non-tornadic), 45 injuries
Damage$81.4 million
Areas affectedCentral and Southern United States

1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale
2Time from first tornado to last tornado

Meteorological synopsis
NEXRAD weather radars composite image of the thunderstorms producing tornadoes in the south-central United States

On May 1, 2008, a large low pressure system developed over Nebraska, with a long warm front stretching east towards the Great Lakes. A cold front and dry line were situated across Oklahoma and Kansas during the late afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a moderate risk of severe weather for eastern Kansas and a small part of Missouri, which included Kansas City.[5] On May 2 another moderate risk of severe weather was issued by the SPC from Central Illinois to northern Louisiana.[6] The risk area was later revised southward to only include eastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, and northwestern Mississippi.[7] Most of the severe weather shifted into Arkansas where dewpoints were near 70 °F (21 °C) with CAPE values over 2000 j/kg (in some places up to 3000 j/kg) and helicity values (potential for rotating winds) were exceeding 200 m2/s2.[8]

While most of the severe activity was situated across the southern states, tornado watches were also issued for portions of southern Wisconsin, southern Michigan and northern Indiana as activity developed near the center of the low.[9][10] No tornadoes were reported in this watch area.[4]

On the northern fringes of the storm system heavy snow fell across northeastern Wyoming and western South Dakota. The town of Lead, South Dakota received a total of 54.5 inches, or about 4.5 feet (1.4 m) of snow from April 30 to May 2. Several other areas received one – four feet (30 – 120 cm) of snow.[11]

Confirmed tornadoes
Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EFU EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
0 28 19 10 3 0 0 60

May 1 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, May 1, 2008[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF0 S of Elk Falls Elk KS 37.36°N 96.18°W / 37.36; -96.18 (Elk Falls (May 1, EF0)) 23:50–23:51 0.7 mi (1.1 km) 50 yd (46 m) A trained spotter observed a brief tornado.[12]
EF0 SW of Sioux Center Sioux IA 43.0391°N 96.236°W / 43.0391; -96.236 (Sioux Center (May 1, EF0)) 23:55–23:56 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 50 yd (46 m) A trained spotter observed a brief tornado.[13]
EF2 S of Rock Valley to SE of Inwood Sioux, Lyon IA 43.1421°N 96.3°W / 43.1421; -96.3 (Rock Valley (May 1, EF2)) 23:59–00:24 12.95 mi (20.84 km) 400 yd (370 m) This strong tornado impacted several farms, causing extensive damage to numerous barns, sheds, outbuildings, and grain bins. Many trees and power poles were snapped or uprooted along the tornado's path.[14][15]
EF0 ESE of Plattsburg Clinton MO 39.56°N 94.42°W / 39.56; -94.42 (Plattsburg (May 1, EF0)) 00:26–00:27 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 25 yd (23 m) A trained spotter observed a brief tornado.[16]
EF0 NW of Choctaw Oklahoma OK 35.5002°N 97.2826°W / 35.5002; -97.2826 (Choctaw (May 1, EF0)) 00:29 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 20 yd (18 m) A brief tornado damaged trees and an outbuilding.[17]
EF0 E of Doon Lyon IA 43.28°N 96.1902°W / 43.28; -96.1902 (Doon (May 1, EF0)) 00:30–00:31 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 50 yd (46 m) A trained spotter observed a brief tornado.[18]
EF0 NNE of Buxton Wilson KS 37.4908°N 95.899°W / 37.4908; -95.899 (Buxton (May 1, EF0)) 00:35–00:37 0.67 mi (1.08 km) 50 yd (46 m) A storm chaser observed a brief tornado.[19]
EF0 E of Fredonia Wilson KS 37.5332°N 95.7937°W / 37.5332; -95.7937 (Fredonia (May 1, EF0)) 00:38–00:39 0.58 mi (0.93 km) 50 yd (46 m) A trained spotter observed a brief tornado.[20]
EF0 ENE of Glencoe Payne OK 36.2411°N 96.8968°W / 36.2411; -96.8968 (Glencoe (May 1, EF0)) 00:42 0.3 mi (0.48 km) 75 yd (69 m) A brief tornado was reported over open fields.[21]
EF0 S of Sheldon O'Brien IA 43.1366°N 95.87°W / 43.1366; -95.87 (Sheldon (May 1, EF0)) 00:42–00:43 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 50 yd (46 m) A storm chaser observed a brief tornado.[22]
EF0 W of George Lyon IA 43.35°N 96.0398°W / 43.35; -96.0398 (George (May 1, EF0)) 00:44–00:45 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 50 yd (46 m) A trained spotter observed a brief tornado.[23]
EF0 NW of Ashton Osceola IA 43.33°N 95.79°W / 43.33; -95.79 (Ashton (May 1, EF0)) 01:05–01:06 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 50 yd (46 m) A storm chaser observed a brief tornado.[24]
EF0 NE of Pawnee Pawnee OK 36.3402°N 96.7873°W / 36.3402; -96.7873 (Pawnee (May 1, EF0)) 01:18 0.3 mi (0.48 km) 75 yd (69 m) A storm chaser observed a brief tornado.[25]
EF0 NNE of Petrolia Allen KS 37.78°N 95.45°W / 37.78; -95.45 (Petrolia (May 1, EF0)) 01:21–01:23 1.89 mi (3.04 km) 75 yd (69 m) A storm chaser observed a brief tornado.[26]
EF1 NW of Skedee Pawnee OK 36.4012°N 96.734°W / 36.4012; -96.734 (Skedee (May 1, EF1)) 01:25–01:35 3 mi (4.8 km) 300 yd (270 m) One home was damaged while several trees and power poles were downed.[27]
EF1 SSE of Fairfax to WSW of Pawhuska Osage OK 36.4497°N 96.638°W / 36.4497; -96.638 (Fairfax (May 1, EF1)) 01:37–02:12 17 mi (27 km) 450 yd (410 m) This long-tracked tornado moved through the Osage Reservation, leaving behind extensive tree damage. Two homes suffered roof damage.[28]
EF0 WSW of Pawhuska Osage OK 36.5779°N 96.4448°W / 36.5779; -96.4448 (Pawhuska (May 1, EF0)) 02:06–02:17 5 mi (8.0 km) 100 yd (91 m) Power lines were downed and trees were damaged.[29]
EF0 Belton Cass MO 38.82°N 94.53°W / 38.82; -94.53 (Belton (May 1, EF0)) 02:08–02:09 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 25 yd (23 m) Local law enforcement reported brief tornado.[30]
EF0 SW of Chanute Neosho KS 37.6488°N 95.505°W / 37.6488; -95.505 (Chanute (May 1, EF0)) 02:14–02:15 0.73 mi (1.17 km) 60 yd (55 m) Local law enforcement reported a brief tornado.[31]
EF0 N of Earlton Neosho KS 37.59°N 95.47°W / 37.59; -95.47 (Earlton (May 1, EF0)) 02:44–02:45 0.38 mi (0.61 km) 50 yd (46 m) A trained spotter observed a brief tornado.[32]
EF0 E of Savonburg Allen KS 37.752°N 95.1373°W / 37.752; -95.1373 (Savonburg (May 1, EF0)) 02:51–02:52 0.64 mi (1.03 km) 40 yd (37 m) Local emergency management reported a brief tornado.[33]

May 2 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, May 2, 2008[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF0 NE of Lyndon Osage KS 38.6405°N 95.6538°W / 38.6405; -95.6538 (Lyndon (May 1, EF0)) 05:43–05:45 1.5 mi (2.4 km) 30 yd (27 m) One home had its roof lifted off and dropped back onto it while the rest of the structure sustained minor damage. A three car garage was destroyed, with a motor home inside damaged, and debris was lofted 100 yd (91 m) downstream into a cemetery.[34]
EF2 NW of Clinton Douglas KS 38.9712°N 95.4458°W / 38.9712; -95.4458 (Clinton (May 2, EF2)) 06:04–06:06 2.22 mi (3.57 km) 100 yd (91 m) This brief but strong tornado moved two-thirds of a home and its garage off their foundations. Debris from these structures were strewn up to 500 yd (460 m) away.[35]
EF0 S of Bristow Creek OK 35.8155°N 96.38°W / 35.8155; -96.38 (Bristow (May 2, EF0)) 06:45–06:51 7 mi (11 km) 250 yd (230 m) A barn was destroyed and trees and power lines were downed.[36]
EF3 NW of Liberty Clay MO 39.2929°N 94.4903°W / 39.2929; -94.4903 (Liberty (May 2, EF3)) 06:56–07:00 0.92 mi (1.48 km) 75 yd (69 m) A brief but intense tornado touched down along the north side of a bow echo, destroying 4 homes and damaging 117 others. Total damage is estimated at $4 million.[37]
EF2 Gladstone Clay MO 39.2215°N 94.5767°W / 39.2215; -94.5767 (Gladstone (May 2, EF2)) 07:03–07:08 1.39 mi (2.24 km) 75 yd (69 m) The same bow echo that produced the preceding EF3 tornado produced another strong tornado farther south. This storm tracked directly through Gladstone, causing extensive damage. A total of 20 homes were destroyed, 280 suffered damage, and a further 19 businesses were damaged. Total losses were estimated to be $10 million.[38]
EF1 W of Pryor Mayes OK 36.3°N 95.4098°W / 36.3; -95.4098 (Pryor (May 2, EF1)) 08:03 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 100 yd (91 m) A brief tornado downed trees and power lines and severely damaged the roof of one home.[39]
EF1 ENE of Tiawah to N of Pryor Rogers, Mayes OK 36.3106°N 95.4428°W / 36.3106; -95.4428 (Kiawah (May 2, EF1)) 08:03–08:15 9 mi (14 km) 100 yd (91 m) Several homes suffered roof damage and two people were injured. Numerous trees and power poles were damaged along the tornado's path.[40][41]
EF0 SW of Ava Douglas MO 36.8798°N 92.7995°W / 36.8798; -92.7995 (Ava (May 2, EF0)) 10:52–10:58 7.38 mi (11.88 km) 250 yd (230 m) Numerous trees were damaged along this tornado's path.[42]
EF0 NNW of Ava Douglas MO 36.9596°N 92.6551°W / 36.9596; -92.6551 (Ava (May 2, EF0)) 11:02–11:03 0.35 mi (0.56 km) 100 yd (91 m) A brief tornado damaged trees and one home.[43]
EF3 NW of Springfield to N of Damascus to NNW of Drasco Conway, Van Buren, Cleburne AR 36.9596°N 92.6551°W / 36.9596; -92.6551 (Damascus (May 2, EF3)) 13:15–14:14 45.3 mi (72.9 km) 1,600 yd (1,500 m) 5 deaths – This large, long-lived tornado first touched down in Conway County, Arkansas, where it destroyed 15 homes and several small buildings and chicken houses. Two people were killed when their mobile home was destroyed.[44] The tornado intensified as it moved through Van Buren County where it destroyed 17 permanent homes and 8 mobile homes; a further 49 homes sustained varying degrees of damage. Agricultural properties sustained significant damage. Three people were killed in the county.[45] The tornado then continued into Cleburne County where it soon crossed Greers Ferry Lake. Nineteen boats and party barges sank at the lake, with cleanup of spilled fuel taking at least a month. It caused further destruction to 27 homes and 5 mobile homes; 162 other homes had varying degrees of damage. A dog kennel was destroyed, killing 250 dogs, and chicken houses suffered a similar fate resulting in the deaths of hundreds of chickens. Approximately 6,800 people lost power from damage to power lines, a transmission tower, and substation.[46] Altogether, the tornado killed 5 people, injured 24 others, and inflicted $47 million in damage.[44][45][46]
EF1 WSW of Damascus Van Buren AR 35.3747°N 92.4444°W / 35.3747; -92.4444 (Damascus (May 2, EF1)) 13:28–13:30 1.05 mi (1.69 km) 100 yd (91 m) This was a satellite tornado to the EF3 Springfield–Drasco tornado, tracking simultaneously 0.5 mi (0.80 km) to its southeast. The tornado downed trees along its path.[47]
EF1 N of Canton Van Zandt TX 32.5596°N 95.871°W / 32.5596; -95.871 (Canton (May 2, EF1)) 13:30–13:34 1.33 mi (2.14 km) 75 yd (69 m) A weak tornado tracked through the north side of Canton, causing extensive tree damage. Several of these trees fell onto cars. Damage to structures was limited to two homes and a shed. The tornado tracked through the First Monday Trade Days site, injuring eight people in the area.[48]
EF1 SE of Umpire Howard AR 34.241°N 94.026°W / 34.241; -94.026 (Umpire (May 2, EF1)) 14:03–14:08 4.1 mi (6.6 km) 50 yd (46 m) Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted along this tornado's path, one of which damaged a mobile home. Two barns were destroyed.[49]
EF1 WNW of Billstown Pike AR 33.9905°N 93.6297°W / 33.9905; -93.6297 (Billstown (May 2, EF1)) 15:23–15:33 8.18 mi (13.16 km) 200 yd (180 m) Two chicken houses were badly damaged, one of which collapse, and a barn had a large portion of its roof torn off.[50]
EF2 SE of Tull to Keo to S of Lonoke Grant, Saline, Pulaski, Lonoke AR 34.4116°N 92.4916°W / 34.4116; -92.4916 (Tull (May 2, EF2)) 16:15–17:15 40.72 mi (65.53 km) 300 yd (270 m) 1 death – A strong tornado began in Grant County, destroying 3 mobile homes, heavily damaging a house, and downing 2 large, steel, electrical transmission towers. It entered Saline County, impacting 16 homes; 4 were destroyed, 9 sustained major damage, and 3 suffered minor damage. In Pulaski County, it affected 75 homes, of which 21 were destroyed, 16 suffered major damage, 26 sustained minor damage, and the remainder experienced minimal damage. A woman was killed inside her demolished mobile home. Two more large, steel, electrical transmission towers were downed. The tornado then entered Lonoke County, where 2 houses were destroyed, 2 homes and 2 farm shops sustained roof damage, and power poles and grain bins were downed. A fish farm, 2 more farm shops, and 5 large, steel, electrical transmission towers were damaged or destroyed. Numerous trees were downed. Three people were injured.[51][52]
[53][54]
EF1 NE of Henderson Rusk TX 32.183°N 94.764°W / 32.183; -94.764 (Henderson (May 2, EF1)) 16:21–16:26 6.38 mi (10.27 km) 100 yd (91 m) A large metal building was completely destroyed, a house suffered minor damage, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. A hay barn was partially demolished.[55]
EF2 N of Carthage to Sheridan Dallas, Grant AR 34.1397°N 92.5842°W / 34.1397; -92.5842 (Carthage (May 2, EF2)) 16:23–16:57 22.85 mi (36.77 km) 200 yd (180 m) Manufactured homes and mobile homes were damaged or destroyed. Minor damage to well-built homes. Barns and outbuildings were destroyed and a church was damaged. In total, about 60 structures were damaged.[56][57]
EF1 SW of Beckville Panola TX 32.202°N 94.524°W / 32.202; -94.524 (Beckville (May 2, EF1)) 16:55–17:03 3.79 mi (6.10 km) 200 yd (180 m) A manufactured home lost its roof and other homes were damaged due to fallen trees.[58]
EF1 Carlisle Lonoke AR 34.7743°N 91.7574°W / 34.7743; -91.7574 (Carlisle (May 2, EF1)) 17:56–18:02 2.55 mi (4.10 km) 200 yd (180 m) A tornado directly struck the town of Carlisle, damaging 25 homes, the fire station, an old railroad depot, a storage garage, an automotive repair garage, a beauty shop, and a minnow farm. Multiple trees, power lines, and power poles were downed as well.[59]
EF0 WNW of Cotton Plant Woodruff AR 35.012°N 91.3395°W / 35.012; -91.3395 (Cotton Plant (May 2, EF0)) 18:01–18:07 2.09 mi (3.36 km) 50 yd (46 m) Two metal-roofed structures had sheets of metal damaged or ripped off. Trees were damaged.[60]
EF1 NE of Carlisle Lonoke, Prairie AR 34.803°N 91.6987°W / 34.803; -91.6987 (Carlisle (May 2, EF1)) 18:02–18:04 1.68 mi (2.70 km) 250 yd (230 m) Trees were downed.[61][62]
EF1 NW of Hazen Prairie AR 34.8461°N 91.6382°W / 34.8461; -91.6382 (Hazen (May 2, EF1)) 18:05–18:06 2.58 mi (4.15 km) 100 yd (91 m) Approximately two dozen trees were damaged and a power pole was toppled.[63]
EF0 NE of Senath Dunklin MO 36.1505°N 90.1447°W / 36.1505; -90.1447 (Senath (May 2, EF0)) 18:39–18:40 0.29 mi (0.47 km) 25 yd (23 m) A section of a center pivot irrigation system was flipped, and a barn sustained moderate damage.[64]
EF0 S of Cotton Plant Monroe AR 34.9556°N 91.2622°W / 34.9556; -91.2622 (Cotton Plant (May 2, EF0)) 18:40–18:41 0.35 mi (0.56 km) 50 yd (46 m) One tree was uprooted and tin was removed from barns.[65]
EF2 Etowah Mississippi AR 35.6899°N 90.2371°W / 35.6899; -90.2371 (Etowah (May 2, EF2)) 19:54–19:58 3.38 mi (5.44 km) 150 yd (140 m) A strong tornado moved through Etowah, inflicting major damage to two homes, ripping the roof off a third, and tearing the back structure off of a fourth; four other homes sustained moderate damage and one sustained minor damage. A car dealership and ten accompanied vehicles in the car lot were completely destroyed. Numerous trees, power poles, and power lines were toppled, and several outbuildings were demolished. A mobile home was destroyed while a recreational vehicle and an irrigation system were overturned. One person was injured.[66]
EF3 SE of Parkin to Earle to S of Birdsong Cross, Crittenden, Mississippi AR 35.2329°N 90.5188°W / 35.2329; -90.5188 (Parkin (May 2, EF3)) 20:18–20:48 20.23 mi (32.56 km) 400 yd (370 m) A significant tornado touched down in Cross County, causing minimal damage. It continued into Crittenden County where it intensified to EF3 strength, severely damaging a high school, a church, a number of homes, and a large house in Earle; four serious injuries occurred there. After progressing into Heafer, a number of homes suffered significant damage. Two mobile homes were destroyed, and several trees and power lines were toppled. The tornado caused minor tree damage in Mississippi County before dissipating.[67][68][69]
EF0 E of Livingston Livingston LA 30.5°N 90.666°W / 30.5; -90.666 (Livingston (May 2, EF0)) 20:51–20:53 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 20 yd (18 m) Weak tornado reported by a motorist near Interstate 12. No damage occurred.[70]
EF2 WSW of Dyersburg Dyer TN 35.96°N 89.6665°W / 35.96; -89.6665 (Dyersburg (May 2, EF2)) 21:25–21:27 1.37 mi (2.20 km) 40 yd (37 m) A mobile home was destroyed and power lines were downed.[71]
EF2 W of New Albany Union MS 34.462°N 89.1634°W / 34.462; -89.1634 (New Albany (May 2, EF2)) 22:48–22:52 3.11 mi (5.01 km) 440 yd (400 m) About 20 homes suffered varying degrees of damage, the worst of which had their roofs ripped off and exterior walls damaged. A couple of sheds, a gas station canopy and sign, and several large buildings were damaged. A church suffered roof damage and had its steeple toppled. A large bus was flipped onto its side, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[72]
EF2 New Albany Union MS 34.5087°N 89.0342°W / 34.5087; -89.0342 (New Albany (May 2, EF2)) 23:00–23:01 0.52 mi (0.84 km) 100 yd (91 m) About 10 homes were damaged, including two that lost their roofs and saw some exterior wall collapse. A gas station canopy was damaged, and many trees were snapped or uprooted.[73]
EF1 NE of New Albany Union MS 34.5265°N 88.9426°W / 34.5265; -88.9426 (New Albany (May 2, EF1)) 23:12–23:16 3.46 mi (5.57 km) 75 yd (69 m) Two homes sustained roof damage; one had its porch torn off while the second saw partial collapse of its garage wall. Several grain bins were heavily damaged, a shed was destroyed, and numerous trees were uprooted.[74]
EF1 Booneville to Rienzi Prentiss, Alcorn MS 34.6331°N 88.6779°W / 34.6331; -88.6779 (Booneville (May 2, EF1)) 23:41–00:03 13.77 mi (22.16 km) 150 yd (140 m) Several homes had shingles ripped off or were damaged by fallen trees. Several outbuildings were heavily damaged or destroyed.[75][76]
EF2 NW of Lake Village Chicot AR 33.36°N 91.4°W / 33.36; -91.4 (Lake Village (May 2, EF2)) 23:52–00:10 10.52 mi (16.93 km) 400 yd (370 m) A mobile home was flipped and destroyed. Several sheds, barns, outbuildings, and carports were damaged or destroyed. A 50 ft (15 m) antenna and fencing were toppled, two boats were damaged, the roll-up door for a tractor shed was damaged, and a trampoline was tossed 75 yd (69 m). Fifteen power poles were snapped.[77]
EF0 SW of Benoit Washington, Bolivar MS 33.5113°N 91.1206°W / 33.5113; -91.1206 (Benoit (May 2, EF0)) 00:32–00:35 2.96 mi (4.76 km) 50 yd (46 m) A little debris was thrown across a field.[78][79]
EF0 NW of Mer Rouge Morehouse LA 32.8032°N 91.8378°W / 32.8032; -91.8378 (Mer Rouge (May 2, EF0)) 01:01–01:06 3.3 mi (5.3 km) 50 yd (46 m) Trees suffered minor damage and grass was flattened.[80]
EF1 NE of Benoit Bolivar MS 33.6729°N 90.9225°W / 33.6729; -90.9225 (Benoit (May 2, EF1)) 01:07–01:21 9.69 mi (15.59 km) 200 yd (180 m) Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. Power lines were snapped in one location.[81]
EF1 SW of Clarksville Montgomery TN 36.37°N 87.55°W / 36.37; -87.55 (Clarksville (May 2, EF1)) 03:55–? 5 mi (8.0 km) 500 yd (460 m) One mobile home was blown off its base and tossed across the road. Another mobile home was rolled over, injuring three occupants. Many trees were snapped or uprooted. The National Centers for Environmental Information incorrectly lists this tornado as three separate events.[82][83][84][85]
EF1 Clarksville Montgomery TN 36.50°N 87.38°W / 36.50; -87.38 (Clarksville (May 3, EF1)) 04:13 0.29 mi (0.47 km) 50 yd (46 m) A pavilion was destroyed, telephone poles were snapped, bleachers were damaged, fencing was blown away, and a wooden utility pole was leant at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.[85][86]

May 3 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, May 3, 2008[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF1 E of Morgan City Leflore MS 33.3743°N 90.3308°W / 33.3743; -90.3308 (Morgan City (May 3, EF1)) 05:49–05:51 1.29 mi (2.08 km) 300 yd (270 m) Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, one of which caused significant damage to a house upon falling.[87]

Impact

Kansas City area derecho/tornadoes
Home heavily damaged in Gladstone, Missouri.

Thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon and early evening of May 1 near Oklahoma City and Kansas City, and produced large hail of up to 3 inches (76 mm) near Midwest City, Oklahoma.[3] There was extensive hail damage throughout Oklahoma County.[88] Ten tornadoes also touched down from these storms in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Radar image of the bow echo crossing Kansas City just after 2:00 am CDT

In the overnight hours of May 2, the supercells re-organized into a squall line/serial derecho that moved across the eastern Great Plains. Significant damage was reported across the Kansas City area, particularly in the Gladstone area near 77th Street and Euclid and northwest of Liberty near 108th Street and Cookingham were several homes and businesses were severely damaged or destroyed, including an Arby's restaurant. Several other commercial structures and homes sustained significant damage and railway cars were also overturned. Forty-thousand Kansas City Power & Light customers were left without power. At least three people were injured by the storms in the Kansas City Metro Area. St. Pius X High School and Oak Hill Day School were closed on Friday as a result of the storm.[89]

It was later confirmed that much of the damage was caused by two strong tornadoes that were embedded inside the derecho; an EF2 in Gladstone and an EF3 in Brookridge. According to Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser, over 300 structures were damaged. In Gladstone over 200 buildings were damaged and several were destroyed according to the mayor. Tornadoes also hit Douglas County, Kansas causing locally significant damage. There no reports of fatalities with these storms. It was later reported that despite tornado warnings, many tornado sirens were not sounded in Douglas County and in other parts of the Kansas City Metro.[90][91][92]

Five years prior to these tornadoes, areas near Gladstone were hit by an F4 tornado that caused extensive damage while a strong tornado also hit near Liberty during the same outbreak.[93][94]

Arkansas tornadoes
Tornado damage near Damascus, Arkansas.

At around 8:30 am CDT on May 2, an EF3 tornado touched down north of Little Rock in Conway County, killing two people.[95] The tornado then proceeded into Van Buren County and caused extensive damage to the Damascus area and killed three people.[96] One person was also killed in Benton County by straight-line winds when a tree fell onto the mobile home where she was sleeping.[97] In Pulaski County, another person was killed by a tornado. Some damage was reported to several structures south and east of Little Rock including near Hensley were the fatality was reported.[98][99]

At around 3:30 pm CDT, a large F3 tornado hit the town of Earle, Arkansas west of Memphis causing major damage to homes, businesses and the high school, and several people were injured.[100] A supercell to its north also produced a significant tornado in the Etowah area causing extensive damage to several structures including destroyed trailers.[101]

Governor of Arkansas Mike Beebe stated that in Arkansas alone about 350 homes were damaged or destroyed. Seven counties were declared disaster areas including Van Buren, Saline, Pulaski, Cleburne, Conway, Grant and Benton. National Guard were deployed to assist in the cleanup and relief efforts. About 6,000 homes lost power across much of north Arkansas.[102]

See also

Notes
  1. All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.

References
  1. "Severe Weather/Heavy Rain on May 2, 2008". NWS – Little Rock. May 2, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  2. "STATE SITUATION SUMMARY 05/09/2008". ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. May 2, 1998. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  3. "Storm Reports for 05/01/08". Storm Prediction Center (SPC). May 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  4. "Storm Reports for 05/02/08". SPC. May 2, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
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