DECATUR, Arkansas — As Arkansans are picking up the pieces after a storm that spawned deadly tornadoes, destroyed homes, and shut off power for tens of thousands, the National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed one of the tornadoes that hit Decatur was the widest recorded in the state.
According to an NWS report, the tornado began in Oklahoma around 1 a.m. and ended in Decatur around 1:20 a.m. The tornado then traveled 7.9 miles and was over 1.8 miles wide (3,200 yards), with winds up to 154 mph.
The previous record was 2,900 yards wide.
"It damaged several homes, destroyed outbuildings, snapped and uprooted trees, and snapped power poles as it moved northeast into Arkansas, crossing near Welch Road [in Gentry]," the report said.
The tornado remained stationary north of Highway 102, destroying more homes and uprooting more trees.
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