Over Memorial Day weekend, Northwest Arkansas experienced a severe outbreak of tornadoes that caused significant damage across the region. The storms uprooted trees, destroyed homes, and left numerous communities without power. Several areas reported extensive property damage, including collapsed roofs, shattered windows, and scattered debris. Emergency services were promptly deployed, working tirelessly to provide relief and restore order. The impact of these tornadoes has left many residents facing a challenging recovery process as they begin to rebuild their lives and homes.
Among the notable losses was the beloved local restaurant, Susie Q Malt Shop, which was completely destroyed by the tornadoes. For decades, Susie Q had been a cherished fixture in the community, known for its nostalgic charm and classic American fare. The devastation of the building has left a significant emotional void for both the owners and loyal patrons who frequented the establishment. As the community mourns the loss of this iconic eatery, efforts are already underway to support the owners in their rebuilding journey, with many expressing hope for Susie Q’s eventual return.
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that at least seven tornadoes struck Benton County, Arkansas, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, during the Memorial Day weekend. The affected areas include Decatur (two tornadoes), Centerton (two tornadoes), Rogers (one tornado), War Eagle (one tornado), and Clifty (one tornado), with the Clifty tornado extending into Madison County. The NWS continues to provide daily updates, and more tornadoes may be confirmed in the coming days.
In Decatur, the first tornado was rated EF-3 with wind speeds of 145-155 mph, traveling 7.9 miles and causing significant damage to homes, trees, and power poles. It resulted in two injuries but no fatalities. The second tornado in Decatur was rated EF-2 with wind speeds of 120-130 mph, covering a path of 5.4 miles and causing extensive damage to trees, power poles, and homes, with no injuries or fatalities reported.
Centerton experienced two tornadoes as well. The first, rated EF-1 with wind speeds of 90-100 mph, had a path length of 2.3 miles and caused damage to roofs, homes, and businesses. The second tornado, rated EF-2 with wind speeds of 115-125 mph, traveled 2.4 miles, severely damaging homes and uprooting trees. No injuries or fatalities were reported for either tornado in Centerton.
Rogers was hit by an EF-2 tornado with wind speeds of 115-125 mph, covering a path length of 7.4 miles and a width of 3,000 yards. This tornado damaged hundreds of homes and businesses, snapped thousands of trees, and caused extensive straight-line wind damage with speeds up to 100 mph. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
War Eagle experienced an EF-1 tornado with wind speeds of 100-110 mph, traveling 3.2 miles and damaging trees, a mobile home, and power lines. No injuries or fatalities were reported. Lastly, the Clifty tornado, rated EF-1 with wind speeds of 100-110 mph, had a path length of 8.9 miles, damaging trees and power lines as it moved northeast into northern Madison County and crossed into Carroll County before dissipating.
Overall, while significant property damage occurred, there were no fatalities reported across all the tornadoes confirmed so far.
