The forecast called for a line of storms to come together in eastern Oklahoma, and then move quickly through northern and western Arkansas from the late evening of the 3rd into the wee hours of the 4th. Strong to damaging winds were the main concern. Isolated tornadoes and some hail were also expected.
It was certainly warm and unstable enough to fuel severe thunderstorms. High temperatures on the 3rd were well into the 80s to around 90 degrees in places. It was 88 degrees at Pine Bluff (Jefferson County), 89 degrees at Monticello (Drew County), and 90 degrees at Camden (Ouachita County).
Farther east, 60 to over 80 mph straight-line winds become the dominant hazard. Trees and/or power lines were taken down at Antoine (Pike County), Atkins (Pope County), Bismarck (Hot Spring County), Caddo Gap (Montgomery County), just north of Clarksville (Johnson County), Harrison (Boone County), Haskell (Saline County), Hot Springs (Garland County), Perryville (Perry County), and Pleasant Plains (Independence/White Counties).
A 71 mph gust was recorded at the airport at Hot Springs (Garland County). There were a couple of quarter size hail reports around Conway (Faulkner County). More than 60,000 utility customers lost power.
At Walnut Ridge (Lawrence County), wind gusts likely exceeded 90 mph. Some homes and retail buildings in and around town were affected, with a home improvement center and furniture store hit especially hard. About two miles northwest of town, grain bins were mangled. An outbuilding was dismantled near Manson (Randolph County).
Rain over the northern/western counties averaged a half inch to an inch. Local amounts were over two inches. In the twenty four hour period ending at 700 am CDT on the 4th, Morrilton (Conway County) got 2.09 inches of precipitation, with 2.02 inches just northeast of Damascus (Van Buren County), 1.33 inches at Hattieville (Conway County), 1.30 inches at Lead Hill (Boone County), 1.25 inches at Dardanelle (Yell County), 1.22 inches at Greers Ferry Dam (Cleburne County), 1.20 inches at Hardy (Sharp County), 1.19 inches at Subiaco (Logan County), and 1.16 inches at Mountain Home (Baxter County). The storms weakened toward daybreak, but this event was not quite done. Later in the afternoon, more storms bubbled up in southeast sections of the state, with a 60 mph gust estimated at Arkansas City (Desha County).

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:49:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOXIE
Magnitude: 80.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Straight-line wind damage was noted across the city of Walnut Ridge. Damage consisted of trees uprooted or snapped, power lines blown down, some minor damage to homes, and damage to retail structures along Business Highway 67.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANDOLPH, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:51:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANSON
Magnitude: 75.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Straight-line wind damage was noted along Manson Road mainly west of US-67 south of Pocahontas near the community of Manson. Damage consisted of several uprooted and snapped trees, a destroyed outbuilding, and damaged power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in POPE, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 22:58:00 to 03-MAY-21 22:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: ATKINS
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple trees and power lines were down across the county. A tree fell on a house in Atkins.

Thunderstorm Wind in POPE, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 22:53:00 to 03-MAY-21 22:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: OAKLAND HGTS
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees and powerlines were down across the county. A tree fell on a home in Russellville.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOT SPRING, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:48:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: BISMARCK
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The emergency manager called to say that multiple trees were down across Hot Spring County. A tree was on a home in Bismarck.

Thunderstorm Wind in GARLAND, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 01:05:00 to 04-MAY-21 01:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: GULPHA
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Numerous trees were downed along Highway 70 from five miles east of Hot Springs to Lonsdale.

Thunderstorm Wind in JOHNSON, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 21:40:00 to 03-MAY-21 21:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT VERNON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large tree was blown down and blocked both lanes of Highway 103.

Thunderstorm Wind in JOHNSON, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 21:51:00 to 03-MAY-21 21:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLARKSVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

An estimated wind gust of 60 mph was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in BOONE, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 22:32:00 to 03-MAY-21 22:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARRISON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The county judge reported trees and power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind in YELL, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 22:40:00 to 03-MAY-21 22:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: RANGER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

An estimated 60 mph wind gust was reported by the public.

Hail in STONE, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 23:52:00 to 03-MAY-21 23:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOUNTAIN VIEW
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:19:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: CADDO GAP
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A Co-Op observer said a county judge called them and said there were multiple trees down around southeast Montgomery County.

Thunderstorm Wind in INDEPENDENCE, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:21:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLEASANT PLAINS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Several large trees were blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind in PIKE, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:37:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: ANTOINE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A Co-Op observer reported that they had multiple trees blown down from storms overnight.

Thunderstorm Wind in GARLAND, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:47:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: (HOT)HOT SPGS ARPT
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A 71 MPH wind gust was recorded by the ASOS at the Hot Springs Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in GARLAND, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:48:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEAR
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A tree was blown down on Highway 270.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:49:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALNUT RIDGE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Windows were blown out of the Walmart and power poles were down in the parking lot. Trees were reported down and there was damage to buildings in the city.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:50:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALNUT RIDGE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple trees and power lines were down across the city. Multiple structures had damage. A tree fell onto a home with people trapped inside.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANDOLPH, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:53:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: POCAHONTAS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The general public reported winds around 60 mph in the city.

Hail in SHARP, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:56:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: EVENING SHADE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in GARLAND, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 01:02:00 to 04-MAY-21 01:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOT SPGS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was reported down and possibly on a vehicle, on Oaklawn Blvd.

Thunderstorm Wind in SALINE, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 01:18:00 to 04-MAY-21 01:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: HASKELL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A large tree was down across Highway 229.

Hail in FAULKNER, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 01:25:00 to 04-MAY-21 01:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: CONWAY MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Thunderstorm Wind in DESHA, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 11:37:00 to 04-MAY-21 11:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARKANSAS CITY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

This wind gust was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANDOLPH, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:29:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: POCAHONTAS MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees and power lines were down across the county. A tree was blown onto a home near Pocahontas.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANDOLPH, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:40:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAVENDEN SPGS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Several trees were reported down on Highway 63.

Thunderstorm Wind in SALINE, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 01:15:00 to 04-MAY-21 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAPE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Garage shop was moved off its foundation and damaged. Several trees were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind in SALINE, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 01:10:00 to 04-MAY-21 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONSDALE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Numerous trees were downed along Highway 70 from Lonsdale to Interstate 30.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANDOLPH, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 00:53:00 to 04-MAY-21 00:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: POCAHONTAS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The general public reported winds around 60 mph in the city.

Thunderstorm Wind in PERRY, ARKANSAS
From 04-MAY-21 01:06:00 to 04-MAY-21 01:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: PERRYVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Social media showed a picture of a large tree down in downtown Perryville.