Severe thunderstorms developed along a dry line over central Oklahoma during the afternoon hours. Very unstable air and strong wind shear east of the dry line supported supercell thunderstorm structures, which persisted as the storms moved into northwestern Arkansas late in the evening. These severe storms produced tornadoes, large hail, and damaging downburst wind across portions of northwestern Arkansas. One of the tornadoes was especially intense, resulting in considerable damage to several towns as well as three fatalities in Franklin County.

Tornado in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 24-MAY-11 23:07:00 to 24-MAY-11 23:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: DENNING
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the fifth of six segments of this tornado. The tornado crossed the Arkansas River, moving back into Franklin County from Logan County. The tornado crossed Carbon Plant Road and W Creek Road, destroying a mobile home and killing another person. It continued northeast across the town of Denning where it destroyed numerous permanent homes and mobile homes. At least 10 injuries occurred in Denning as the mile-wide tornado moved through the town. Several of these injuries were serious or critical and one of the victims died from her injuries on June 14th. She was in one of the many mobile homes that were destroyed in town. Ten 100-foot metal power poles were bent over at the ground by the tornado and many other power poles were snapped throughout the Denning area. Many large trees were also snapped or uprooted. Maximum estimated wind speed in this segment of the tornado based on this damage was about 145 mph.
The tornado moved northeast from Denning and crossed Highway 64, severely damaging the roof of a permanent home and snapping or uprooting numerous trees. The tornado continued into Johnson County, Arkansas.

Hail in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 24-MAY-11 22:20:00 to 24-MAY-11 22:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTINGTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 24-MAY-11 22:30:00 to 24-MAY-11 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FT SMITH
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down numerous large tree limbs and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 24-MAY-11 23:02:00 to 24-MAY-11 23:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: NATURAL DAM
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm wind gusts to 60 mph were estimated by emergency management personnel.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 24-MAY-11 23:15:00 to 24-MAY-11 23:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELKINS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm wind gusts to 60 mph were estimated by the public.

Thunderstorm Wind in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 24-MAY-11 22:36:00 to 24-MAY-11 22:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: (FSM)FT SMITH MUNI A
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS at the Fort Smith Regional Airport measured 64 mph thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 24-MAY-11 22:40:00 to 24-MAY-11 22:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARLING
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm wind gusts to 70 mph were estimated by law enforcement personnel.

Tornado in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 24-MAY-11 22:40:00 to 24-MAY-11 22:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: VAN BUREN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the second of two segments of this tornado. In Crawford County, this tornado destroyed several barns, damaged several permanent homes, blew siding off a metal building, and snapped or uprooted a number of large trees.

Tornado in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 24-MAY-11 22:53:00 to 24-MAY-11 22:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRANCH
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the first of six segments of this tornado. The tornado developed just east of Highway 41 south of Branch where it snapped large tree limbs and caused minor damage to a home. The tornado moved northeast damaging at least one mobile home, snapping power poles, and snapping or uprooting large trees. Maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado based on this damage was about 105 mph. The tornado continued into Logan County, Arkansas.

Tornado in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 24-MAY-11 22:57:00 to 24-MAY-11 23:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: PETER PENDER
Tornado F-scale: EF4
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the third of six segments of this tornado. The tornado snapped or uprooted a number of large trees as it moved back into Franklin County from Logan County. The damage path widened considerably to about 3/4 of a mile as the tornado moved north of Highway 398 and approached Etna. In and near Etna, the tornado destroyed a number of permanent homes, destroyed mobile homes, destroyed a metal building, destroyed a number of outbuildings, snapped numerous power poles, and snapped or uprooted many large trees. One of the three tornado-related fatalities in Franklin County occurred when a double-wide mobile home was destroyed in Etna. At least six serious injuries occurred in this area and several of those were critical.
Several well-built, wood-framed permanent homes were destroyed in Etna with only a small amount of debris remaining on the foundation. Trees were debarked in this area and the ground was scoured by debris. A well-built, two-story, steel-framed home northeast of Etna on Highway 309 was also destroyed with only a few interior walls remaining on the first floor. Two people survived in the kitchen pantry as the home was destroyed around them. Maximum estimated wind speed in this segment of the tornado based on this damage was about 170 mph.
The tornado continued into Logan County, Arkansas, at 1.25 miles wide.