A low pressure system developed over the Southern Plains and moved to the northeast. The strong low pressure system had moved to the Kansas and Missouri border by the time the event started. A very strong low-level jet, along with a very strong jet stream, moved across the Mid-South during the evening hours. An upper level short wave moved across Arkansas during the early evening hours. This short wave was the focus of thunderstorm development which produced severe thunderstorms over parts of East Arkansas.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 21:45:00 to 22-JAN-12 21:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: HELENA - WEST HELENA
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several mobile homes were destroyed on the west side of West Helena.  One mobile home was flipped on the southwest side of a neighborhood on the outskirts of town. The bottom frame of the home struck a tree behind the home 15 feet in the air. The mobile home landed on its roof and was completely destroyed. Cars were damaged by flying debris and trees were also blown down. Another neighborhood southwest of town was damaged as well. In this neighborhood, two mobile homes were flipped. One was blown into another mobile home and a wood house. Power lines and irrigation systems were blown down in the fields between the two neighborhoods. In West Helena, only minor damage was noted to the Junior High School roof and the roof and siding of a few motels. A few storage sheds were blown over but had not been secured to the ground.

Hail in LAWRENCE, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 19:26:00 to 22-JAN-12 19:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLACK ROCK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Quarter size hail fell in Black Rock.

Hail in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 19:38:00 to 22-JAN-12 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter size hail fell near the intersection of Highway 67 and Highway 226 near the town of Cash.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 21:00:00 to 22-JAN-12 21:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARVELL
Magnitude: 100.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm winds caused significant damage to some metal buildings, a house, and some very large trees. The hardwood trees were approximately 3 feet wide. One metal building had a portion of the roof peeled up as well as 2 garage doors blown in. The grain bins behind the metal building sustained dents near the top due to the winds. The house was damaged by one of the large trees falling on top of it. Two mobile homes were damaged as well with their roofs blown off. Additional smaller trees were snapped in the vicinity.

Hail in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 20:09:00 to 22-JAN-12 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: OTWELL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter size hail fell on County Road 204 just south of Otwell.

Hail in CROSS, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 20:55:00 to 22-JAN-12 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILKINS
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Half dollar size hail fell in extreme southern Cross County.

Thunderstorm Wind in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 20:29:00 to 22-JAN-12 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: (JBR)JONESBORO MUNI
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees were knocked down on Highway 226 just southwest of Jonesboro.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 20:37:00 to 22-JAN-12 20:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: PIGGOTT
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A camper and a storage building were destroyed near Piggott.

Hail in POINSETT, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 21:33:00 to 22-JAN-12 21:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: TYRONZA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter size hail fell in Tyronza.

Hail in LAWRENCE, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 19:38:00 to 22-JAN-12 19:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEDGWICK
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Penny size hail fell in Sedgwick.

Hail in ST. FRANCIS, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 20:52:00 to 22-JAN-12 20:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter size hail fell near State Highway 306 and State Highway 193 just west of Colt.

Tornado in PHILLIPS, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 21:08:00 to 22-JAN-12 21:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: POSTELLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado moved into Phillips County from Monroe County and continued to move northeast. A large storage shed was tossed over a farm building. A few trees were knocked down and minor tree damage was noted.  A couple of irrigation pivots were overturned. Some grain bins were also dented towards the top.

Hail in GREENE, ARKANSAS
From 22-JAN-12 20:29:00 to 22-JAN-12 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARMADUKE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Penny size hail fell in Marmaduke.