Very moist and unstable air spread into northwestern Arkansas ahead of a strong upper level storm system and associated cold front. This moist and unstable air combined with strong wind shear that was present in the atmosphere resulted in long-lived and organized thunderstorm structures, including supercell thunderstorms. These thunderstorms developed and tracked east-northeast through the afternoon and evening hours, generally moving across the same areas over a period of several hours. These storms produced widespread severe weather, including three tornadoes in northwestern Arkansas. A line of storms then developed along the cold front and moved into northwestern Arkansas in the early morning hours of the 8th, producing widespread wind damage across Benton County and into Missouri.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 08-JAN-08 01:40:00 to 08-JAN-08 01:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: SULPHUR SPGS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tornado in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 20:50:00 to 07-JAN-08 20:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTERTON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Multiple spotters reported a brief tornado over open country. An NWS survey team found no damage associated with the tornado.

Tornado in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 23:09:00 to 07-JAN-08 23:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: GENTRY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An NWS survey team determined that a tornado caused extensive hardwood tree damage.

Hail in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 23:55:00 to 07-JAN-08 23:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELLA VISTA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 08-JAN-08 01:58:00 to 08-JAN-08 01:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: SULPHUR SPGS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 08-JAN-08 02:03:00 to 08-JAN-08 02:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELLA VISTA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARROLL, ARKANSAS
From 08-JAN-08 02:25:00 to 08-JAN-08 02:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUSCH
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 22:19:00 to 07-JAN-08 22:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: SULPHUR SPGS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 22:58:00 to 07-JAN-08 22:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHEROKEE CITY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 08-JAN-08 02:30:00 to 08-JAN-08 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: GARFIELD
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 miles an hour overturned a mobile home and downed several trees.

Tornado in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 20:05:00 to 07-JAN-08 20:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: HIWASSE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Multiple spotters reported a brief tornado over open country. An NWS survey team found no damage associated with the tornado.

Hail in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 17:31:00 to 07-JAN-08 17:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: SULPHUR SPGS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 20:02:00 to 07-JAN-08 20:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: HIWASSE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 20:20:00 to 07-JAN-08 20:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: SILOAM SPGS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 20:15:00 to 07-JAN-08 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELLA VISTA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 08-JAN-08 02:20:00 to 08-JAN-08 02:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEA RIDGE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 miles an hour destroyed two mobile homes. Four people had to be extricated from the debris.

Flash Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 08-JAN-08 03:00:00 to 08-JAN-08 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SULPHUR SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy rain caused street flooding in Sulphur Springs and caused water to flow over secondary roads west of Sulphur Springs.

Flash Flood in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 23:44:00 to 08-JAN-08 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAVETTE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy rains caused rising water which carried a mobile home 50 feet.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 07-JAN-08 23:20:00 to 07-JAN-08 23:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAVETTE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 miles an hour damaged a roof and blew down several large trees.