Photo: Getty Images
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that two EF-4 tornadoes struck Arkansas on Friday night (March 14). The first tornado hit near Diaz in Jackson County, with estimated peak winds of 190 mph. The second tornado was near Larkin in Izard County, where peak winds reached 170 mph.
These tornadoes are the first EF-4s in Arkansas since December 2021, when one hit Craighead County. The last time Arkansas experienced multiple EF-4 tornadoes on the same day was in March 1997. KATV reported that the storm system also produced an EF-3 tornado in Fifty-Six, Stone County, with winds of 140 mph, and an EF-2 in Fitzhugh, Woodruff County, with winds of 120 mph.
The tornado near Diaz narrowly missed being classified as an EF-5, which requires winds of 200 mph. KARK noted that Arkansas has not experienced an EF-5 tornado since the late 1920s.
As the state assesses the damage, relief efforts are underway.