Powerful Hurricane Laura struck the Gulf Coast on August 26, 2020. The remnants of Laura moved through the Mid-South on August 27th and August 28th. The first band of showers and thunderstorms tracked across eastern Arkansas during the evening hours of August 27th causing wind damage and a half dozen weak tornadoes. An additional band of showers and thunderstorms developed across north Mississippi during the morning hours of August 28th as the system was departing. A weak morning tornado was reported near Oxford followed by a couple of incidents of wind damage over northeast Mississippi during the afternoon and isolated flash flooding later that evening.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 16:50:00 to 27-AUG-20 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEXA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees in Lexa.

Thunderstorm Wind in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 20:00:00 to 27-AUG-20 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: JONESBORO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large tree fell on a mobile home off of Duncan Road.

Tornado in POINSETT, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 19:55:00 to 27-AUG-20 19:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: RED OAK
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A media field reporter observed a tornado west of Lepanto, just north of Highway 14.  The tornado was in open field and no damage resulted.

Tornado in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 20:13:00 to 27-AUG-20 20:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOWMAN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tornado developed west of Lake City and crossed Highway 18.  The tornado damaged a church along Highway 18.  The tornado moved into open field and dissipated south of Lester Road.

Tornado in CROSS, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 18:13:00 to 27-AUG-20 18:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: HICKORY RIDGE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tornado developed southeast of Hickory Ridge and moved north-northwest through town.  An airplane hangar was damaged west of County Road 259.  The tornado damaged trees and several roofs and awnings as it moved through Hickory Ridge.  The tornado dissipated just northwest of town.

Thunderstorm Wind in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 19:40:00 to 27-AUG-20 19:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: JONESBORO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Power lines were blown down along Nettleton, Matthews, and Airport Roads.

Tornado in ST. FRANCIS, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 17:29:00 to 27-AUG-20 17:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: PALESTINE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A tornado developed and crossed Highway 70 between Forrest City and Palestine.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. FRANCIS, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 17:45:00 to 27-AUG-20 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINETREE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Downed trees and power lines were reported on Route 306 west of Colt.  A tree fell on Pine Tree Baptist Church.

Tornado in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 19:31:00 to 27-AUG-20 19:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: DRYDEN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tornado developed north of Cash and moved northwest.  The tornado pulled metal panels from an airplane hangar west of Highway 18.  The tornado damaged the roof of a home and uprooted trees along Highway 91 southeast of Egypt.  Trees were uprooted in Egypt, and the tornado dissipated as it moved through the community.

Thunderstorm Wind in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 20:00:00 to 27-AUG-20 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NETTLETON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm winds downed a power pole and lines near Commerce Drive and I-555.

Strong Wind in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 18:45:00 to 27-AUG-20 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Strong winds downed a large tree across County Road 118 near Bono.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREENE, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 20:35:00 to 27-AUG-20 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARAGOULD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Reports via social media of a large tree down on West Thompson St. in Paragould.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREENE, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 20:40:00 to 27-AUG-20 20:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: FINCH
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree on Pine Knot Rd. and County Road 715 west of Paragould.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 16:30:00 to 27-AUG-20 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARVELL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees in the Marvell community.

Tornado in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 27-AUG-20 20:24:00 to 27-AUG-20 20:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOOBERTOWN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tornado developed near County Road 940 and moved northwest across County Roads 967 and 964.  The tornado damaged three homes in this neighborhood, partially unroofing one home.  The tornado dissipated just after crossing Highway 49.