|
About This Page |
Several historic events (Severe and Winter weather)
have occurred in Arkansas since this website was started in 1996. These events are
documented below. |
|
|
|
Stone-Izard County Tornado (April 14, 1996) |
|
|
|
During the evening of April 14, 1996, a violent tornado
moved through Stone and Izard Counties of North Central Arkansas,
causing $7.5 million in damage and killing 7 people. It was the
deadliest tornado of the year in the United States. |
In the picture: The
Stone-Izard County Tornado tracked 40 miles through rugged terrain on
04/14/1996. |
Along its 40 mile
path, the tornado destroyed at least 20 homes and several businesses.
The town of Melbourne (the seat of Izard County) was one of the hardest
hit areas, with major damage at a car dealership, a college auditorium,
and a housing project. Fortunately, the tornado claimed no lives in
Melbourne. |
|
In the picture:
A house was destroyed 3.5 miles southwest
of Allison (Stone County) along South Sylamore Creek. |
|
Most of the fatalities occurred away from population centers (such as
Melbourne). Six (6) lives were lost near the neighboring towns of Allison (Stone
County) and Sylamore (Izard County), which are along the banks of the White
River (which separates the two counties). Near Allison, four (4) people were
killed at a campground just southwest of town. |
In the
picture: A camping trailer was overturned at a recreational area near
Allison (Stone County). |
At the campground, recreation
vehicles were either tossed into South Sylamore Creek (which empties into the
White River) or overturned and crushed by falling trees. Another death (1)
occurred 3.5 miles southwest of Allison. Just south of Sylamore, two (2) more
lives were taken when a house was removed from its foundation, with the bodies
thrown several hundred feet. |
|
In the picture:
A house was wiped from its foundation in Riverside subdivision along the
White River just south of Sylamore (Izard County). Two deaths occurred
here. |
Before this event, no tornado deaths had occurred in Stone County
since 1929...or in Izard County since 1936.
|
|
|