NWS Confirms tornado in Izard/Sharp Counties

The National Weather Service (NWS) has just positively confirmed that the damage in Izard and Sharp counties Sunday night was caused by a tornado. A survey team from the NWS office in North Little Rock rates the tornado as an EF2 with winds estimated at 120 miles per hour. The tornado was on the ground 9.73 miles and was an estimated 600 yards wide.

The tornado first touched down near Sage, 4 miles east, southeast of Melbourne, at 7:19 Sunday night. It was on the ground for approximately 11 minutes, until 7:30, before ending 3 miles northwest of Evening Shade. The survey team noted damage was observed to several structures, including houses and barns. Widespread tree damage was also observed.