Event narrative (NOAA)
An F2 tornado touched down in Polk County and traveled approximately 20 miles before it lifted. Even though the tornado was not on the ground continuously, it still managed to cause extensive damage to several towns along its path. The tornado initially touched down approximately 2.50 miles west of Cove, along Highway 4. The storm passed through Cove where it damaged and destroyed several homes and businesses. The tornado then struck the Hatfield area where it destroyed or damaged a number of homes. The tornado continued moving northeastward and struck the southwest part of Mena. In Mena, a large number of homes and businesses sustained damage. Most of the buildings that were struck were either destroyed or received major damage. Eleven people in Mena were treated for minor injurie
Other notable tornado events in Arkansas
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.