Two small but intense bowing thunderstorm clusters moved rapidly east/southeastward across southeast Missouri during the late afternoon hours. Damage surveys confirmed a brief EF-0 tornado, however the most noteworthy events were two macrobursts containing peak winds in the 95 to 110 mph range. Flash flooding of low water crossings  occurred due to repeated thunderstorm activity over the Ozark foothills. Although the bowing clusters of storms resided in relatively stable air to the north of a stationary front over western Tennessee and central Arkansas, occasional damaging wind gusts occurred due to their well-organized nature.

Flood in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 16:05:00 to 04-MAY-20 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: POPLAR BLUFF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Ponding of water was reported on low-lying streets in Poplar Bluff. Water partially covered roads west of Harviell.

Flash Flood in RIPLEY, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 17:00:00 to 04-MAY-20 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENNETT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding of many low water crossings in northern Ripley County made them impassable.

Thunderstorm Wind in NEW MADRID, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 16:23:00 to 04-MAY-20 16:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: GIDEON
Magnitude: 96.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A very intense macroburst caused extensive damage across southwest New Madrid County, including the Gideon area. Peak winds were estimated near 110 mph, based on NWS storm surveys. About eight miles of the 19-mile long damage swath was in New Madrid County. Most of the remainder of the path was in Pemiscot County. The width of the macroburst averaged about six miles in New Madrid County. Several large grain bins were destroyed, with some blown a hundred yards or more from their anchored position. A couple of large storage buildings collapsed or partially collapsed. Several garages, farm sheds and similar structures were heavily damaged or destroyed. At least a half dozen homes or similar structures sustained major roof damage, ranging from the removal of the roof decking structure to removal of the entire roof structure. One had the attached garage separated. At least one home was destroyed by a fallen tree, with several others damaged from fallen trees. Several miles of power lines were blown down as poles were broken. Numerous large trees were uprooted. Much of the damage was in and south of Gideon. At least three homes and a business sustained major roof damage in Gideon, and a large farm building near Highway 162 lost portions of its roof and walls. The local emergency management agency estimated at least 5 million dollars damage, with 4 million of that at a farm south of Gideon.

Hail in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 15:48:00 to 04-MAY-20 15:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROMBAUER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 15:51:00 to 04-MAY-20 15:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVIELL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Tornado in CARTER, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 15:23:00 to 04-MAY-20 15:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRANDIN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The EF-0 tornado along the southern border of Carter County contained estimated peak winds of 85 mph, uprooting or damaging dozens of trees along its path. On Highway 21 between Grandin and the Ripley County line, the tornado pushed over several wooden electrical poles. The tornado also removed a small section of the roof of a manufactured home. The tornado was along the northern edge of a macroburst that was primarily over northern Ripley County.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARTER, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 14:10:00 to 04-MAY-20 14:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREMONT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were blown down across J Highway about six miles south of U.S. Highway 60.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 16:10:00 to 04-MAY-20 16:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: QULIN
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A shop building was destroyed. The rather large metal building had a covered open storage area on the north side. Nearby grain bins were dented.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARTER, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 15:04:00 to 04-MAY-20 15:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHICOPEE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were down across C Highway south of U.S. Highway 60.

Thunderstorm Wind in RIPLEY, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 15:24:00 to 04-MAY-20 15:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENNETT
Magnitude: 83.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A macroburst containing winds estimated up to 95 mph produced major damage across extreme northern Ripley County. The path in Ripley County was nearly 19 miles long and nearly five miles wide. Thousands of large trees were snapped or uprooted. Numerous power lines were blown down or downed by falling trees, causing the worst power outage in the area since the 2009 ice storm. Approximately 30 structures, mainly barns and garages, were damaged or destroyed. Several houses sustained mainly minor roof damage, with one having several windows blown out. Multiple trees were down on houses. Roads were blocked by fallen trees. A wind gust to 63 mph was measured north of Bennett, where large trees were uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 16:00:00 to 04-MAY-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: POPLR BLFF FLDS ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The automated observing system at the Poplar Bluff airport measured a wind gust to 58 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 15:51:00 to 04-MAY-20 15:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVIELL
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A wind gust estimated near 70 mph blew down several trees in the area. Affected roads included Highway F, Route 158, and County Road 488.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARTER, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 15:22:00 to 04-MAY-20 15:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRANDIN
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Uprooted trees and broken branches marked the beginning of a 19-mile long macroburst that was primarily over far northern Ripley County.

Flash Flood in CARTER, MISSOURI
From 04-MAY-20 17:00:00 to 04-MAY-20 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREMONT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous low-water crossings were flooded across the county.