Posted on 04/27/2014 2:08:00 PM PDT by dirtboy
4 confirmed dead. 1 in Mayflower, 2 in Vilonia, 1 west of Searcy. 60 ambulances requested at Vilonia. Coroner requested with trailer in Faulkner Co. F4-F5 damage reported by storm spotters (foundations of homes stripped bare, trees completely debarked, highway stripped to the dirt, multiple funnels, and 3/4 mile wide vortex). Note: only NOAA and NWS can confirm F4-F5 status.
Thanks for the update sad news all around...
State Police scanner talking of 8 DEAD north of Volusia. Calling for a coroner, and help tagging bodies.
correction: Vilonia
Weather guy out of Ft. Smith AR said the storm that moved through central Arkansas is the strongest so far this year.
Lights are out in the Mayflower area.
My sister in law just called from the Vilonia area. They had 10 people who spent about an hour in the storm room. … which is tiny. When they came out they found that all the neighbors had been hit, but the tornado skipped around their farm. Three years ago this same area got hit, and their barn was totaled.
I’m also a broadcast vet, though I left the business three decades ago to pursue a military career. I completely understand the economics of radio, but I don’t agree with the idea that “the weather” is best left up to TV, or something your voice-track DJ throws in a couple of times an hour.
On the other hand, there are some stations that have created their own weather brand, with their own, in-house capabilities. One reason WSB rules the roost in Atlanta is they hired their own met (Kirk Mellish) decades ago, realizing that during a severe weather situation, many people won’t be able to watch TV, but they can still tune a battery-powered or crank radio to 750 AM or 95.5 FM.
And, when you couple that with a first-rate traffic team, you give thousands of commuters a reason to turn in. If you’re simulcasting TV coverage, the last thing the TV mets are worried about is motorists in their cars; they’re more concerned with playing with their SuperDopplerStormTracker 3000 and showing off its velocity mode.
WCBS-AM in New York has had similar success with Craig Allen, who has been a market icon since the 80s. When bad weather strikes, listeners know where to turn to get accurate information. Having an in-house met can be a great investment—if stations are willing to make it, and properly utilize the resource.
I believe the above video was from a drone flying over I-40 at Conway.
Amazing video. I can’t tell what some of that wreckage used to be, it’s been so badly torn up.
Prayers for all.
I have dear friends who live in the path just south of Villonia, Arkansas. I called and immediately got a busy signal. One witness said everything in that area was destroyed and he could hear screams. Prayers for all the people going through this.
@CBSNews JUST IN: Death toll from Arkansas twister rises to at least 11, according to local authorities
so sad, condolences to those lost today
Drones all over the place.
I lived about 4 miles north of here in the late 70s. I think Mayflower had less than a few hundred people at the time. Now it’s over 2,200.
Stay safe guys. I miss living in the area, but sure don’t miss tornado season.
Alcorn County which is the NE green shaded county in Mississippi. Tishomingo County is the NE most county in Mississippi just East of the warning.
I took a quick look at the PDS in Breaking News and thought, “what now”? Yep, I thought it was something about Sarah Palin!... not the horrid weather.
CONFIRMED TORNADO on the ground, Tinsley , MS approaching Yazoo City. Take Cover!
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