An outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes occurred on Super Tuesday February 5th 2008. The worst tornadoes and majority of the severe weather occurred to the north of our service area. However, our region did receive quite of a bit of weather with several weak tornadoes, large hail, and wind damage. The worst storm in the Jackson, MS service area was a supercell thunderstorm which tracked across southeast Arkansas and northwest Mississippi. This storm produced several weak tornadoes, but will be know for the very large hail and damage it produced. Hail between baseball and softball size occurred during some of its life with golf ball size occurring throughout its life. Dozens of vehicles were damaged along the path from the very large hail.
The day was setup by near record high temperatures and a very moist and unstable atmosphere. A potent low pressure system and cold front developed over North Texas early Tuesday. As the area of low pressure deepened and tracked northeast across Central Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas the combination of unstable air and strong wind shear lead to a tornado and severe weather outbreak across the Southeast US. This was just the first round of severe storms to impact the region. A line of storms developed along a pre-frontal trough early Tuesday evening and quickly moved east across the area through early Wednesday morning bringing with it damaging winds and hail.
This outbreak of severe storms produced a little over 80 tornadoes which were responsible for 56 fatalities and hundreds of injuries across about 9 states. Of those 80 plus tornadoes, 5 were rated EF3 and 5 more rated EF4. The longest tornado occurred in north-central Arkansas and was on the ground for 123 miles and was rated and EF4. This was the longest single tornado track recorded in Arkansas since detailed reporting began in 1950.

Thunderstorm Wind in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 05-FEB-08 15:30:00 to 05-FEB-08 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMBURG
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees and a few power lines were blown down just east Hamburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 05-FEB-08 15:25:00 to 05-FEB-08 15:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: CROSSETT MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 63.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few trees and power lines were blown down just south of Hamburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHICOT, ARKANSAS
From 05-FEB-08 16:11:00 to 05-FEB-08 16:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: HALLEY JCT
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Two trees were uprooted on Black Pond Road in the Halley Community.

Tornado in CHICOT, ARKANSAS
From 05-FEB-08 16:04:00 to 05-FEB-08 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: DERMOTT MUNI ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

This tornado was viewed as it touched down between Wallace Road and the Airport. It was brief but while on the ground it downed a couple trees across Highway 165. It then proceeded into and open field east of Highway 165 before it dissipated.

Hail in CHICOT, ARKANSAS
From 05-FEB-08 15:55:00 to 05-FEB-08 16:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: HALLEY JCT
Magnitude: 4.25 
Property damage: 600.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A significant hail storm occurred across the northern portion of Chicot county as a large supercell thunderstorm tracked north-northeast. The hail moved into Chicot County from southeast Drew County between Jerome and Dermott and tracked to the Halley Community. Golf ball sized hail covered the ground along the path with baseball to softball sized hail stones being the largest. Several homes sustained damaged along with dozens of vehicles sustaining substantial hail damage from dents or broken windshields.

Thunderstorm Wind in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 05-FEB-08 15:55:00 to 05-FEB-08 15:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOYDELL
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few trees were blown down along Highway 165.

Tornado in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 05-FEB-08 15:26:00 to 05-FEB-08 15:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMBURG
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado began about one mile south of Hamburg and caused damage to the Junior High School. The damage consisted of a portion of the roof peeled back and several uprooted or snapped trees. Maximum winds were around 95 mph.

Hail in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 05-FEB-08 15:06:00 to 05-FEB-08 15:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITE
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Significant hail storm occurred across a large portion of Ashley County as a large supercell thunderstorm tracked from just south of Crossett to just south of Hamburg and then to around Jerome. Golf ball sized hail was common and covered the ground all along the path. A few locations, mainly just south of Hamburg, the hail was as large as baseballs. This very large hail caused a great deal of damage to dozens of vehicle and roofs. The supercell continued to produce damaging hail as it moved past Jerome and across northern Chicot County.

Funnel Cloud in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 05-FEB-08 15:53:00 to 05-FEB-08 15:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOYDELL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public