Tornado hits Lonoke County, Arkansas as severe weather tracks across the Midwest

Severe weather swept through the Midwest on Sunday, April 20, placing millions under a tornado and thunderstorm alert. At least six tornadoes were reported across five states, causing widespread damage. Two tornadoes were confirmed in both Arkansas and Illinois, and one tornado was reported in Iowa and Minnesota.

Two tornadoes were reported in Arkansas, with one in Lonoke County causing significant damage along Highway 319 and Highway 5. Emergency crews blocked off the highway to clear downed power lines and trees along the route.

According to Sheriff Stanley, tornadoes were reported touching down in the area of the 16th Section community near Highway 5 and Highway 319 at around 19:00 local time (LT).

“Deputies immediately responded, and I’m relieved to report that, at this time, there have been no fatalities or injuries. We are actively checking the area and working closely with emergency crews. There are multiple trees, power lines, and power poles down, and we are asking everyone to please stay clear of the affected areas. Our top priority is making the area as safe as possible for everyone,” said the Sheriff.

Reports indicate that a cemetery and multiple homes along Highway 5 were also damaged. A Dollar General store near Cabot, along the highway, was initially believed to have been damaged, but a later assessment concluded that there was no structural damage to the store.

While no injuries or fatalities were reported, more than 3 000 customers across Arkansas experienced power outages due to the severe weather conditions, with Lonoke County alone reporting over 1 000 power outages.

Two tornadoes were reported in Illinois’ Warren and Henry counties, downing multiple power lines and trees and causing widespread power outages.

In Iowa, a tornado near Beaverdale in Des Moines County damaged a metal building operated by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Damage from the severe weather event has yet to be fully assessed, with the possibility of additional tornado reports arriving on Monday as daylight returns.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) maintains a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe thunderstorms through Tuesday morning as a frontal system moves eastward from the Upper Mississippi Valley toward the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

The boundary will extend from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley southwestward to the Lower Mississippi Valley and Western Gulf Coast, supporting the development of showers and thunderstorms along and ahead of it.

One area of concern is the eastern Ohio Valley, where strong to severe thunderstorms are expected. Hazards include frequent lightning, isolated severe wind gusts, hail, and the potential for a few tornadoes.

A second area of severe weather is forecast over the Tennessee and Lower Mississippi Valleys. In this region, the primary threats are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a minimal risk of tornadoes.

References:

¹ SPC Storm Reports for 04/20/2025 – SPC – April 21, 2025

² Highway 5 closed as crews respond to storm damage near Cabot; no injuries reported – KATV – April 21, 2025