A large and powerful storm system brought several rounds of severe weather to a large section of the Central United States. The Central Plains were hit hard on Thursday, May 1st, while the Mid-South and Lower Mississippi River Valley were impacted on Friday, May 2nd into the early morning hours of May 3rd. As this severe weather episode evolved over the National Weather Service Jackson, MS service area, several tornadoes occurred, along with large hail and damaging winds.

Hail in CHICOT, ARKANSAS
From 02-MAY-08 19:25:00 to 02-MAY-08 19:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: DERMOTT MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Flash Flood in CHICOT, ARKANSAS
From 02-MAY-08 21:10:00 to 02-MAY-08 22:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: DERMOTT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A good portion of the Dermott Business District was flooded by nearly two feet of water. Multiple thunderstorms moved across northwest Chicot County producing several inches of rain. The repetitive nature of the storms produced locally heavy rain which caused flooding around the city.

Hail in CHICOT, ARKANSAS
From 02-MAY-08 18:01:00 to 02-MAY-08 18:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE VLG
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of penny to nickel sized hail fell across a good portion of northern Chicot County. This hail occurred from the same supercell which produced the EF-2 tornado.

Hail in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 02-MAY-08 19:15:00 to 02-MAY-08 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMBURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Penny to quarter sized hail fell across a portion of central Ashley County.

Hail in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 02-MAY-08 19:24:00 to 02-MAY-08 19:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: CROSSETT MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Another thunderstorm produced a swath of penny hail across central sections of Ashley County.

Tornado in CHICOT, ARKANSAS
From 02-MAY-08 17:52:00 to 02-MAY-08 18:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHTON
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 200.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down near Highway 293 and tracked northeast for 10 miles where is dissipated shortly after crossing Highway 65. Along the path, hundreds of hardwood and softwood trees were snapped and uprooted. A mobile home was flipped over and destroyed. Several sheds, barns, outbuildings and unattached carports were damaged and destroyed along with several fences damaged. A 50 foot antenna was knocked down. A single family home had minor shingle damage, damage to siding, and window damage while 2 boats were damaged. The roll-up door for a tractor shed was damaged and a trampoline was blown around 75 yards and damaged. Lastly, 15 wooden power poles were also snapped near Highway 65. Maximum winds were around 115 mph.

Hail in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 02-MAY-08 17:10:00 to 02-MAY-08 17:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORTLAND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of quarter sized hail fell from an strengthening supercell thunderstorm.