Mountain Home, AR – (Jonesboro Right Now) – May 26, 2024 – Severe storms rumbled across North Arkansas early today producing tornadoes and damaging thunderstorm winds.
The Norfork Lake area near Mountain Home was hit twice. Once by a rotating thunderstorm that prompted tornado warnings with heavy rain and hail. Then a short time later a second wave of thunderstorms produced hail and high winds. The automated weather station at Salem (Fulton County) measured winds in excess of 80 miles an hour.
The storms at Lake Norfork were the same storms that produced tornadoes in Northwest Arkansas earlier in the night.
Injuries were reported and at least one death was confirmed by the Baxter County Sheriff. Heavy damage was reported at Briarcliff where an apparent tornado occurred. Baxter County Health spokesperson Tobias Pugsley told KTLO Radio Mountain Hone that a mobile triage has been set up at the entrance of Briarcliff to offer medical assistance to residents in need.
Wind damage was reported, some roads were blocked, and widespread power outages were reported.
Here are some of the reports from our colleagues at KTLO in Mountain Home:
https://www.ktlo.com/2024/05/26/confirmed-tornado-reported-storms-lead-to-outages-damage/
https://www.ktlo.com/2024/05/26/baxter-health-shares-updates-on-local-injuries-mobile-triage/
https://www.ktlo.com/2024/05/26/sheriffs-for-baxter-and-marion-county-share-storm-damage-updates/
https://www.ktlo.com/2024/05/26/naec-ceo-describes-area-near-briarcliff-as-ugly-scene/
The Norfork Lake area is a popular summer holiday destination for many Jonesboro residents.
This story will be updated as more photos/information become available.
Another round of severe weather is possible across Arkansas late this afternoon and tonight.