A strong negatively tilted upper level trough slowly moved into the Central and Southern Plains during the morning of December 27th. This trough of low pressure was accompanied by a strong subtropical jet stream which provided abundant lift necessary for the development of widespread showers and thunderstorms. The trough was able to draw up not only Gulf of Mexico moisture but also Eastern Pacific moisture and with a very slow movement to the activity once it developed, the end result was widespread flooding across a large portion of Northeast Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas and Northwest Louisiana. A very unstable airmass for late December was present across the region with a very strongly wind sheared environment. Discrete storms developed across the region ahead of an eventual line of strong to severe thunderstorms. Some of these discrete storms produced tornadoes across the region with several storms producing strong and damaging wind gusts as well.

Flash Flood in MILLER, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 20:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANDEVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Flooding was significant on the eastern side of Texarkana, Arkansas.  Several roads were flooded and closed.

Tornado in NEVADA, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:36:00 to 27-DEC-15 16:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: DELTA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An NWS Storm Survey team concluded that the damage near Willisville, Arkansas was consistent with that of an EF-1 tornado.  This tornado snapped and uprooted numerous trees along its path.  Several outbuildings were destroyed and several homes had minor to moderate roof damage as well.

Hail in NEVADA, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:08:00 to 27-DEC-15 16:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: EMMET
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Golfball sized hail was reported in the Emmet, Arkansas community.

Thunderstorm Wind in MILLER, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 20:30:00 to 27-DEC-15 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: (TXK)TEXARKANA ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large tree limbs were downed east of town.

Thunderstorm Wind in LITTLE RIVER, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:45:00 to 27-DEC-15 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINTHROP
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds downed a few trees in the Winthrop area near Hwy. 234.

Flash Flood in HEMPSTEAD, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 19:30:00 to 28-DEC-15 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FULTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Hwy. 67 was flooded and closed between Fulton and Hope, Arkansas.

Flash Flood in HEMPSTEAD, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 22:09:00 to 28-DEC-15 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOPE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Roads in downtown Hope, Arkansas were flooded and closed.

Thunderstorm Wind in LITTLE RIVER, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 16:20:00 to 27-DEC-15 16:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOREMAN
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An NWS Storm Survey team determined that damage northeast of Foreman, Arkansas was consistent with that of straight line wind damage.  This damage included several trees were snapped and/or uprooted.  The metal roofing of a mobile home was peeled back.  Two outbuildings were destroyed.  Damage was the most concentrated near the intersection of CR. 153 and AR. 108 as well as CR. 345 and CR. 51.

Flash Flood in SEVIER, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 18:47:00 to 27-DEC-15 21:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: FALLS CHAPEL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Melrose Road south of Lockesburg was flooded and closed.

Flash Flood in SEVIER, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 18:47:00 to 27-DEC-15 21:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTRAL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Central Road was flooded and closed south of Lockesburg, Arkansas.

Tornado in HEMPSTEAD, ARKANSAS
From 27-DEC-15 15:36:00 to 27-DEC-15 15:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HOPE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An NWS Storm Survey team concluded that damage near the Patmos community was consistent with that of EF-1 tornado damage.  This tornado partially lifted the roof off a mobile home along AR 355.  The tornado continued north and snapped several trees before lifting along Hempstead County Road 9.