The May 2, 2008 tornado

EF3Conway, Van Buren and Cleburne counties, Arkansas

An EF3 tornado on a 45.3-mile path that killed 5 and injured 24. It was one of 40 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 3 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of May 2, 2008: 40 tornadoes in 8 states

EF3 tornado · May 2, 2008

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 45.3 miles

Now in—

RatingEF3

The tornado

Rating: EF3; Enhanced Fujita scale
Path length: 45.3 mi; Width up to 1,600 yards
Killed: 5; Along the whole path
Injured: 24; Along the whole path
Date and time: Friday, May 2, 2008; 7:15 AM CST
That day: 40; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

The National Weather Service account

Written by the local Weather Service office after its damage survey.

This tornado moved out of Conway County, east of Center Ridge, and entered Van Buren County, west-southwest of Damascus. The tornado destroyed 17 permanent homes and 8 mobile homes. It caused major damage to 30 homes and minor damage to 19 homes. Four chicken houses were destroyed, 8 horses were killed, and one bull was killed. A feed mill was destroyed and three businesses received major damage. One church was destroyed and another was severely damaged. A 4 year-old girl and her grandparents were killed when their house was destroyed on Scroggins Creek Rd. (County Road 65). The tornado exited Van Buren County, east-northeast of Morganton, and moved into Cleburne County, northwest of Crossroads.

The storm system that day

A line of thunderstorms pushed into western Arkansas early on the morning of May 2nd. During the morning and afternoon hours, severe thunderstorms developed out ahead of the line and produced tornadoes.

NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Counties on its path

Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.