The National Weather Service has confirmed a second EF3 tornado in the Twin Lakes Area from Sunday morning’s storms. A survey team studied the damage in the Briarcliff area of Baxter County Monday and determined it was done by an EF3 tornado with maximum winds of 140 miles per hour. The tornado killed one person and injured 17 and caused widespread damaged.
According to the weather service, the tornado’s path of destruction was just over six and a half miles and at its peak, it was approximately 1000 yards wide.
The tornado started to the southwest of Arkansas Highway 5, between Briarcliff and Salesville.
Mostly tree damage was observed near the origin and to the west of Highway 5. As the tornado crossed the highway, widespread tree damage became prevalent, with most trees snapped at their trunks. A few structures were severely damaged, including a home, and a metal shop building. The tornado also impacted a local RV/trailer camping park, where five fifth-wheel recreation trailers were tossed and completely destroyed. One fatality was reported out of this area as well.
The tornado then began to move northward, crossing over a 350 kV transmission line, snapping several wooden two-poled line towers, and bending two steel two-poled line towers to the ground, indicative of EF2 wind speeds.
After crossing Hwy. 5, the tornado moved into the Briarcliff residential area, encountering significant topography. Seventeen injuries were reported within the Briarcliff community. The tornado likely reached its widest point as it moved through the community, with significant tree damage observed over a large portion of the area.
A few homes sustained moderate damage, likely exacerbated by debris and projectiles.
The Briarcliff city hall building, which sat on top of a hill on Scenic Drive, sustained significant structural damage, with most of the second level of the building destroyed, indicative of EF3 wind speeds of up to 140 mph. The tornado then continued to move northeast, moving over several hills on the east side of Briarcliff, before reaching Norfork Lake, and crossing over a few peninsulas, where more tree damage was observed.
The tornado crossed the lake, and then dissipated shortly after reaching the other side, with only some tree and powerline damage reported.
.Briarcliff Tornado…
Rating: EF3
Estimated Peak Wind: 140 mph
Path Length /statute/: 6.52 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 1000 yards
Fatalities: 1
Injuries: 17
Start Date: 05/26/2024
Start Time: 04:25 AM CDT
Start Location: 2 W Salesville / Baxter County / AR
Start Lat/Lon: 36.248 / -92.307
End Date: 05/26/2024
End Time: 04:40 AM CDT
End Location: 5 NE Salesville / Baxter County / AR
End Lat/Lon: 36.296 / -92.212
EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:
EF0…..65 to 85 mph
EF1…..86 to 110 mph
EF2…..111 to 135 mph
EF3…..136 to 165 mph
EF4…..166 to 200 mph
EF5…..>200 mph
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