1. May severe weather fatalities
2. May extreme weather events.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : The month of May saw a series of devastating tornadoes sweep through north central Arkansas and southern Missouri, leaving a trail of destruction and tragedy in their wake. Four tornadoes were confirmed in the region, with two of them proving to be deadly. In addition to the severe weather events, the month also saw a daily rainfall record broken and above-average precipitation.
The first tornado, known as the “Bellefonte Tornado,” struck in the early hours of May 26, unleashing its fury as a low-end EF3 storm. The twister carved a path of destruction that spanned over 21 miles, with a maximum width of nearly 1,500 yards and peak wind speeds of 145 miles-per-hour. Tragically, the storm claimed the lives of four individuals, including sixth grade student James Duncan from Yellville-Summit.
Following closely on the heels of the Bellefonte Tornado was the “Briarcliff Tornado,” which also garnered an EF3 rating. This deadly storm tore through the region for almost an hour, leaving a path of devastation that stretched over 36 miles. With a maximum width of nearly 1,760 yards and peak wind speeds of 140 miles-per-hour, the tornado claimed the life of 73-year-old Patricia Sontag in Salesville and injured seventeen others.
In Ozark County, a less severe EF0 tornado touched down, causing minimal damage with peak winds of 80 miles-per-hour. The twister traveled nearly five miles northeast from the Caney Mountain Conservation Area, near Gainesville, without resulting in any reported injuries.
The final confirmed tornado of the day swept through Fulton County, earning an EF1 rating. This storm, which lasted only two minutes, had a path length of one mile, a maximum width of nearly 200 yards, and peak wind speeds of 100 miles-per-hour. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from this tornado.
In addition to the destructive tornadoes, the storms also brought record rainfall to the region. The official reporting station for the National Weather Service in Mountain Home recorded 2.52 inches of rain on May 26, breaking the previous daily record of 2.4 inches set back in 1939. This significant rainfall contributed to a monthly total of 7.58 inches, surpassing the average May rainfall of 5.68 inches.
Overall, the first five months of 2024 have seen a total precipitation of 25.53 inches, exceeding the average rainfall for the period by 2.66 inches. The month of May also saw temperature fluctuations, with the warmest day reaching 89 degrees and the coolest dropping to 53 degrees. The average high for the month was 79.6 degrees, while the average low was 60.8 degrees.
As communities continue to recover from the devastation wrought by these tornadoes, it serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and destructive power of Mother Nature. Stay informed and stay safe during severe weather events..
– severe weather in May
– deadly tornado outbreak and historic rainfall in 4 areas.
