The Only Recorded EF-5 Arkansas Tornado (April 10th, 1929)

Did you know that Arkansas has only experienced one EF-5 tornado? This is one statistic that we hope to NEVER change. An EF-5 tornado by definition is a tornado with winds speeds that exceed 200 mph (322 km/h). EF-5 tornadoes are also known to cause extreme damage. Strong-framed, well-built houses leveled off foundations are swept away. Steel-reinforced concrete structures are critically damaged, tall buildings can collapse or have severe structural deformations. Cars, trucks, and even train cars can be thrown over a mile.

An example of an EF-5 tornado- this tornado was near El Reno, Oklahoma 

Late in the afternoon of April 10th, 1929, the only EF-5 tornado recorded in Arkansas formed just south of the Independence County town of Batesville. The tornado then began to track northeast into Jackson County near the Black River Bottoms. See graphic posted below:

EF-5 tornado track (4-10-29)

The tornado is believed to have reached its highest intensities during its track throughout Jackson County near Pleasant Valley (locally known as Possum Trot). It then continued northeast near the community of Sneed. Both of these areas were sadly destroyed. According to the National Weather Service, the tornado was 1/2 mile wide at this point. The tornado then continued to move northeast where it eventually weakened. The end result of this powerful storm was devastating. In total, 23 citizens lost their lives; while 59 others were injured. This famous tornado has since been coined as the "Sneed Tornado".

Jackson County Road 72

For those of you who aren't familiar with the areas mentioned above. Pleasant Valley was located near Jackson County Road 72. The small community of Sneed was located on what is now known as Jackson County Road 630, also known as Sneed Road.

Some may wonder, with all the technology we have today and advance warning systems, how was the fatality count not higher on this day? According to the National Weather Service's account, some residents did have a little bit of warning:

"A large number of people saw the tornado coming and took shelter in various places. There were several storm cellars in the area, and many people headed for these. According to one account, about 25 people gathered in one cellar alone. One of the storm cellars is said to still exist today, although in a deteriorated condition. Others sought shelter under a road bridge, in a barn, and in a chicken house."

Tornado shelter said to have been used to hide during the EF-5 Sneed Tornado

The EF-5 Sneed Tornado occurred on a day with very favorable conditions for large tornadoes. This tornado was not the only one to strike our state. In fact, an EF-4 tornado struck Guion (Izard County). While another EF-4 tornado traveled just southwest of Wynne through Smiths Chapel and Princedale and then to the north of Parkin (all in Cross County).

With this tornado occurring many years ago, one must rely on historical accounts of the storm. Thanks to the National Weather Service, we have some of those accounts posted below:

- The devastating storm made a clean sweep of the area.

- Homes were left in splinters...very little salvage was left.

- The twister went through timber places as though nothing was in the way, tearing up or breaking off huge trees and laying everything flat that happened to be in its path.

- Only the pillars of one house remained. The ground was swept clean. A woman and her daughter had hurried to a nearby home for protection, and were entering it when the storm caught the dwelling and carried it with its occupants through the air for 75 yards...before dropping them in a drainage ditch.

- The home of one man in Sneed was reduced to kindling.

- At the home of another family, the mother, father, and seven children were at home. When the tornado struck, the family members were scattered for 200 yards. Fatalities included the father, and three of the children (ages 6 years, 22 months and 11 months). All the other family members were injured.

- The Pleasant Valley School, also known as the Possum Trot School, was destroyed.

- The engineer of a Missouri Pacific passenger train spotted the tornado as the train was traveling from Little Rock (Pulaski County) to Hoxie (Lawrence County). The engineer sped the train up and outran the tornado, but not before the train reached speeds up to 75 mph (this is not meant to imply that the tornado itself was traveling that fast). Rather, it was approaching at an angle to the railroad tracks and the engineer was trying to judge how fast he would have to go to remain ahead of the tornado.

- Rescue efforts were hindered by roads made very muddy by heavy rain after the tornado passed, and by large timbers and other debris blocking roads.

- Very little tornado insurance was carried by owners of property.






This historic weather blog was a lot of fun to create. In fact, I (owner of Arkansas Weather) have family that experienced this tornado in the small town of Swifton. Once again, a huge thank you to the National Weather Service for providing such viable and helpful information. We love creating these historical blogs, and we could not do it without them. We hope you enjoyed!

-AW Team

Graphic and information credits: https://www.weather.gov/lzk/