Melbourne/Allison (Stone and Izard Counties)

Tornado track graphic - Courtesy: NWS Little Rock

There is a common folklore that tornadoes are prevented by the mountainous terrain in some states. This belief is very common to some people here in Arkansas, however, this couldn't be farther from the truth. On April 14th, 1996, a very deadly tornado ripped through portions of the mountainous terrain of Izard and Stone counties. This tornado cut a 40-mile swath through these two counties, causing over 7 million dollars in damage, and claiming 7 lives.

The tornado destroyed at least 20 homes and several businesses. The town of Melbourne (Izard County) was one of the hardest hit areas, with major damage at a car dealership, a college auditorium, and a housing project.

Camping trailer destoryed near Allison. Photo courtesy: NWS LR

Most of the fatalities occurred away from population centers such as Melbourne. Six lives were lost near the neighboring towns of Allison, and Sylamore, which are along the banks of the White River.

Just southwest of Allison, four people were killed at a campground. At the campground, recreation vehicles were either tossed into South Sylamore Creek (which empties into the White River) or overturned and crushed by falling trees. Another death occurred 3.5 miles southwest of Allison.

We've all heard the folklore that tornadoes cannot form, or strengthen, in mountainous terrain; this event should put that belief to shame. The EF-4 tornado was the first tornado to claim any lives in Stone and Izard county since 1929 and 1936 respectively.