Powerful tornado rips through Lake City, Arkansas
A powerful tornado barreled through Lake City, Arkansas, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, as severe thunderstorms swept over central and eastern U.S. At least four people were injured in Craighead County, while over 25 000 customers remained without power on Thursday morning.
Tornado damage in Lake City, Arkansas on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Image credit: Jace Passmore
A powerful tornado touched down in Lake City, Arkansas, on Wednesday, April 2, destroying multiple homes and downing trees and power lines in the area. The tornado was part of a larger severe weather outbreak that spawned over two dozen tornadoes from Oklahoma to Kentucky and claimed at least 3 lives.
At least 4 people have been injured in Craighead County as the storms Barreled through Arkansas. Five houses and one power line were down as of 19:30 local time on Wednesday evening, according to the city’s mayor. These numbers are expected to rise through Thursday as authorities assess the damages.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders had declared a state of emergency Wednesday afternoon ahead of the storm that spawned multiple tornadoes across the state.
Visuals circulating on social media showed the massive tornado moving across the region, covering nearly the entire view with gray clouds. “There is no way this tornado is not a mid-level EF-4 or possibly higher tornado,” said a user on X who posted the video below. “Behavior-wise, this is as violent as it gets,” he added.
The Lake City tornado is yet to be confirmed by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), which has received 3 tornado reports from Arkansas as of Thursday morning. The number is expected to rise as reports pour in through Thursday and authorities assess the damage.
“We are working with local emergency management offices for situational awareness and still learning of impacts as they come in. It’s early in the event, and we will release more information about potential impacts as it becomes available,” said Public information officer Lacey Kanipe.
The Conway Police Department closed off its lobby and administrative offices during the afternoon ahead of the severe weather threat.
22 counties across Arkansas have reported significant damage, with most counties continuing to assess the damage, Over 25 000 customers remained without power across the state on Thursday morning, April 3.
Most of Arkansas remains under a Moderate Risk (level 3/5) for excessive rainfall that could lead to severe flooding. Parts of Arkansas are forecast to get nearly 30 cm (1 foot) of rain this week, adding to the flood risk. A Flood Watch will remain in effect through Saturday, April 5, across the state.
References:
1 Reports of widespread damage as severe weather makes its way across Arkansas – ADPS – April 2, 2025
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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