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Texarkana Microburst of May 22, 2008
The National Weather Service in Shreveport conducted a survey of
damage that occurred in the city of Texarkana on both the Arkansas side and
Texas side and found that a microburst producing winds up to 100 mph occurred.
An analysis of radar data leading up to the damage shows two severe thunderstorms
coming together on the south side of the city. One severe storm was moving northeastward
from Southern Bowie County while the other was moving northwestward through Miller County.
Both storms collided in an area just south of Downtown Texarkana. As a result of the collision
... the storm cores collapsed in an area just east of State Line Avenue over a several block
area between 16th and 20th Streets. Numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted onto homes
and cars in the Glendale subdivision. As the survey expanded outward to the north near 24th
street and Woodlawn Cemetery ... trees were noted to have fallen in a north or northeastward
direction typical of a microburst. Damage was found as far northeast as the Calvary Cemetery
area with trees downed in a north to northeast direction. Trees were also uprooted and snapped
on the texas side of State Line Ave. with a heavier concentration along Magnolia Street between
24th and 30th streets. It was noted that the trees fell in a northwesterly direction which
would be expected if a microburst had occurred to the south and east of those locations.
Numerous homes were damaged on the Texas side of State Line Avenue as a result. Powerlines
were also downed throughout the area as a result of either poles snapping or trees falling on the lines.
The area impacted by the microburst is approximately 3. 5 miles long to the northeast of
the origin and 4 miles in width from one end of the damage swath to the other.
City and County Officials estimate at least 44 homes sustained major damage with an
unknown number of cars damaged. At least 100 damage reports have been collected thus far.
Officials also reported that over 900 911 calls came in during the first hour following the
storm. Only 1 minor injury occurred when a tree fell on a house injuring the elderly woman inside.
Map of the area surveyed in Texarkana where the Microburst occurred.
Very large tree crushing a Ford Explorer and part of a home 1 block east of State Line Avenue
Large tree crashing through a garage and onto another home
This tree sliced through an apartment building. The root ball stood more than 10 feet high
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National Weather Service Forecast Office
