RIPLEY AND BUTLER COUNTY TORNADO ON MARCH 14TH PART OF LONGER TRACT THAT SPANNED OVER 117 MILES
Weather officials say that one of the tornadoes that struck Ripley and Butler Counties on March 14th was the tail end of an EF-4 tornado that stretched over 117 miles.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado started in western Stone County, Arkansas, before crossing through Izard, Sharp, Randolph, and Ripley Counties, finally ending in western Butler County. It injured four people in total and caused widespread damage to homes and trees.
The tornado had peak winds of 170 miles per hour and a maximum width of 1400 yards.
Officials say that the peak winds, maximum tornado rating, and peak width all occurred in Arkansas. The tornado produced EF-2 damage in Ripley and Butler County.
This was the third longest tornado to impact the NWS Paducah area of responsibility since 1950.
CHANCE OF SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE FOR THIS WEEKEND
We are looking at another chance of severe weather coming up this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, an active weather pattern will return to the area from Friday through Sunday, bringing with it a daily risk of severe thunderstorms.
Friday and Saturday will see large hail and damaging winds being the main threats. Sunday will also see the risk of tornados increase.
ARKANSAS REQUEST FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE TO RECOVER FROM MARCH 14TH STORMS DENIED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The federal government has denied a request from the State of Arkansas for individual assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency in connection with the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on March 14.
Officials with the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management say that they are working to appeal the decision and the request for public assistance is still ongoing.
Joint local, state, and federal damage assessments for the severe storms and flooding that began April 2nd will continue through the end of April.
Once damage assessments are complete and all data has been compiled, the State of Arkansas will submit a request to the White House for a Major Disaster Declaration.
EARTHQUAKE RECORDED IN NORTHWEST BUTLER COUNTY
An earthquake shook parts of Butler County Tuesday morning.
According to the United States Geological Survey, a magnitude 2.4 earthquake was recorded at 12:30 am on Tuesday.
The quake was centered on Highway 60, approximately 13 miles northwest of Poplar Bluff and had a depth of less than a mile.
FEED AND SEED EVENT SCHEDULED FOR TODAY
New Day Ministry in Poplar Bluff will be hosting a feed and seed event today.
The event is from 3 to 5 pm and is first come, first serve, with packs limited to one per household.
New Day Ministry is located at 703 Franklin Street in Poplar Bluff. For more information, call 573-718-4578.
BRIDGE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY IN DUNKLIN COUNTY
Route 164 in Dunklin County will be reduced to one lane today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge maintenance.
The section of roadway is located from Route TT to County Road 709.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through 4 p.m.
