West Fork hit by tornado on June 18, National Weather Service confirms

On June 18, a tornado rated EF-1 struck West Fork, Arkansas, with peak winds between 90 and 100 mph, as confirmed by the National Weather Service. The tornado developed at 1:54 a. m. and traveled east along Mineral Springs Road, causing severe damage to outbuildings and uprooting numerous trees in its path. It dissipated after four minutes, covering a distance of 2.

3 miles. Concurrently, two other EF-1 tornadoes impacted areas in Northwest Arkansas, specifically Gravette and Highfill. This event marks the 58th tornado reported in Arkansas this year, exceeding the state’s typical annual count by 21. The record for tornadoes in a single year, which stands at 107, was established in 1999, indicating a notable year for severe weather. Given that most tornado activity occurs in the spring, it is unlikely that this year's total will approach the historical record by year-end.

The frequency of tornadoes raises concerns about weather patterns and preparedness in the region.