Thunderstorm Wind in Lafayette County, Arkansas

Upwards of 20 homes wee damaged across the southern half of Lafayette County, Arkansas from thunderstorms winds. The homes were damaged from fallen trees. There were no reports of injuries across the county. Areas around Lake Erling were especially hit hard as trees and powerlines blocked roads and across to some residential areas. At least a mile of Hwy. 53 was littered with debris which had to be removed before emergency personnel could assist a motorist trapped in his truck by a tree tangled in high voltage power lines. One home positioned a the edge of the lake on Laf. 260 had the roof stripped. Another large tree fell on a truck and the tree also clipped an adjacent home. Three trees were also downed on mobile homes in the area. At Sandy Point, it was estimated that three-fourths of the homes had some type of damage. At Cypress Point, most of the homes were reported to have some type of storm damage ranging from roof damage, downed trees, broken windows, dented walls and damaged vehicles.

The NWS conducted a storm survey and concluded that the damage across Lafayette county was consistent with that of straight line winds produced by a bow echo. State Police estimated wind gusts to near 70 mph with the storm that knocked down numerous trees and powerlines. Other damage consisted of damaged fences, numerous garages and outbuilding damage as well as shingles of several roofs.

NWS storm survey determined that a downburst occurred north of Buckner, Arkansas, and produced widespread wind damage over a concentrated area. Two chicken houses were severely damaged on the north side of County Road 31 and Hwy. 53. Nine trees were uprooted across Hwy. 53 and a passenger vehicle was struck by one of the fallen trees which trapped the occupants inside. There were no report of any injuries.