A destructive multi-day tornado outbreak across a large portion of the Southern United States that occurred at the end of April and the beginning of May 2010. Five people were killed from the tornadoes – one in Arkansas, one in Tennessee, and three in Mississippi. The tornado event was overshadowed by the 2010 Tennessee floods, which occurred at the same time.

Meteorological synopsis A strong low-pressure system tracked across the Midwest beginning on April 29. A few tornadoes were reported from Kansas to Iowa that day, but with little damage.

A moderate risk of severe weather was issued on April 30 for a large swath from northern Illinois to southern Arkansas. Late that afternoon, tornadoes began to develop across the Ozarks and multiple tornado warnings were issued. Also, in less than a week, another PDS Tornado Watch was issued for Arkansas, Oklahoma, the Missouri Bootheel, and Texas. That evening in central Arkansas, the moderate risk was upgraded to a high risk for the second time in less than a week. Significant damage was reported in several areas. KARK coverage reported that a tornado touched down in Scotland, Arkansas and major damage, at least 25 injuries and 3 fatalities were reported there. In East End, Arkansas, major damage was also reported with several injuries.

Another high risk was issued for May 1 for Arkansas, northern Mississippi, West Tennessee, southwestern Kentucky and southeastern Missouri, the first occurrence of back-to-back high risk days since 2006. Activity began in the afternoon on the warm front, where a destructive tornado touched down in northeastern Mississippi with severe damage near Ripley. Yet again, another PDS Tornado watch was issued for Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. The activity, however, was confirmed primarily to areas closer to the Mississippi River.

The same system also produced copious amounts of rain over much of the Mid-South, with widespread flooding reported in Tennessee. Interstates 40 and 24 had to be shut down in the Nashville area due to water covering those major highways. The flooding was so bad on those two Interstate highways, stranded motorists were rescued in boats.

Confirmed Tornadoes

April 30 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, April 30, 2010EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary EF1NW of Mountain Home, AR to SE of Hardenville, MOMarion (AR), Ozark (MO)AR, MO22:49–23:12Tornado developed along Bull Shoals Lake. Six homes along Price Place had their roofs and siding damage, before the tornado crossed into Missouri. In Missouri, damage consisted mostly of uprooted and snapped trees. EF0NW of Iron RiverIronMI22:50–22:51A few outbuildings were damaged, and many trees were knocked down in the path. EF1S of HardenvilleOzarkMO23:12–23:14Numerous outbuildings and trees were damaged. EF0E of HardenvilleOzarkMO23:14–23:15Minor damage limited to a few trees. EF1N of TecumsehOzarkMO23:24–23:40Three houses sustained significant damage and about 30 others sustained minor damage by this large wedge tornado. Extensive damage to trees was also evident throughout the path. EF1W of Cook StationCrawfordMO23:50–23:53Damage to several trees was found along a cemetery, where they were uprooted at the base. EF3SSE of Cleveland to Scotland to NW of ClintonConway, Van BurenAR23:56–00:301 death – After passing near the town of Cleveland, the tornado entered Van Buren County, impacting the small town of Scotland. Here, at least 13 houses or mobile homes were destroyed and 20 others damaged, as was the local community center. The fatality occurred when a woman was thrown from her destroyed house. Past this area, multiple barns, outbuildings, and a gas well were either severely damaged or destroyed. Thousands of trees were also snapped or uprooted after the tornado exited town, eventually dissipating near Clinton. 15 others were injured. EF1SE of BerlinGreen LakeWI00:00–00:02Minor damage to a house and a barn. Many trees, several power poles and an antenna were snapped. EF1NW of Burnham to SE of Willow SpringsHowellMO00:05–00:10Large wedge tornado heavily damaged several houses, a store and a water treatment plant. Many trees were also damaged. EF0E of Glen OakMarquette, Green LakeWI00:15–00:23Intermittent tornado touchdown damaged numerous trees. EF0NW of MarquetteMarquette, Green LakeWI00:15–00:24Damage limited to a few trees. This tornado occurred simultaneously with the previous event. EF1W of BelfastGrantAR00:46–00:52A house and a church were damaged and a barn lost part of its roof. EF1NW of Shirley to NE of FoxVan Buren, StoneAR00:48–01:05This tornado was produced by the same supercell that spawned the Scotland EF3. Several mobile homes and sheds were destroyed. Extensive tree damage along the path. EF2NE of Center Ridge to SSW of Bee BranchConway, Van BurenAR00:55–01:1812 houses and two mobile homes were destroyed, and at least 30 other houses were damaged, some heavily. Three churches were also damaged. EF2SSW of Sardis to S of Little RockSaline, Grant, PulaskiAR00:59–01:31After touching down and touching small sections of Grant County, the tornado reached peak intensity in Saline County. Here, 4 houses and 11 mobile homes destroyed, and multiple others received damage. A fire station was destroyed, and a church had its roof blown away. In Pulaski County, 3 houses and 6 mobile homes destroyed, and numerous others were damaged. Trees and power lines were also blown down. Eight people were injured. EF1NW of Fletcher to SW of OttoWashington, JeffersonMO01:08–01:40Tornado uprooted many trees and damaged several houses. A church was also heavily damaged. EF2E of Sweet Home to Jacksonville to SSW of McRaePulaski, Lonoke, WhiteAR01:35–02:30This long-tracked, strong wedge tornado touched down soon after the previous one dissipated. Several buildings were damaged at the Little Rock River Port. At least 40 houses or mobile homes were destroyed and about 140 others were damaged. Extensive damage also to trees and power lines. Despite the extent of the damage, no one was injured or killed. EF2DierksHowardAR01:37–01:41Numerous houses and businesses were damaged, including a laundromat and a storage building which were destroyed. As it crossed the town, multiple trees and powerlines were downed. A chicken house also had a section of its roof ripped off, before the tornado dissipated. EF2SW of Merrimac to NE WarnockMonroeIL01:50–01:57Several houses were damaged. A large hangar at Jacobs Field was heavily damaged. Upgrade from EF1 to EF2 in later analysis. EF0NW of WaterlooMonroeIL01:57–01:58This tornado touched down soon after the previous one lifted. A few large trees and several large tree limbs were downed, damaging one house. EF0SSW of AnnapolisIronMO02:06–02:08Several trees were knocked down by the brief tornado, damaging a shed. EF1SE of KensettWhiteAR02:55–03:05Several houses lost their roofs and outbuildings were damaged. EF0SE of DierksHowardAR03:24–03:25A barn and an outbuilding were damaged. EF3W of Weldon to NNE of BlackvilleJacksonAR03:40–03:54This tornado, the last from the Little Rock supercell, destroyed a church and a power substation. A cropduster plane was severely damaged, while a nearby hangar was destroyed. A mobile home was overturned and destroyed, and significant roof damage occurred to homes in the area. A grain elevator was badly damaged, and an irrigation pivot was overturned. Multiple outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, and multiple trees were downed or uprooted. EF1N of CarthageDallasAR03:52–03:55A mobile home was blown off its foundation and numerous trees were damaged.

May 1 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, May 1, 2010EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary EF0N of HamlinCallowayKY08:02–08:12Approximately 50 trees were snapped or uprooted. EF1SE of Cotton Plant to NNW of DumasUnion, TippahMS18:34–18:47The tornado touched down in Union County, inflicting minor damage to an outbuilding. In Tippah County, six homes sustained minor to moderate damage, a roof was peeled off a mobile home, a barn, a few vehicles, and a church were damaged, and many trees were felled. EF0NE of LorettoLawrenceTN21:23–21:26A couple dozen trees were uprooted, a few trees were snapped, and a home suffered minor roof damage. EF1SE of ArtesianCalhoun, BradleyAR23:41–23:45The tornado began in Calhoun County before entering Bradley County. Trees and tree limbs were blown down on timber lands in both counties. EF1S of HerbineClevelandAR00:27–00:28Numerous trees were felled. EF0W of BivinsCassTX01:29–01:31Many trees were uprooted, numerous tree limbs were downed, about seven homes sustained minor roof and siding damage, and a church sustained minor roof damage. EF1Primrose areaWoodruff, CrossAR01:55–02:05The tornado began in Woodruff County, removing a portion of a roof from a flying service hangar and causing a wall to cave in. Portions of two walls were removed from a home and its roof was partially removed. In Cross County, three homes sustained various degrees of damage, several outbuildings were damaged, and a two-story barn was completely collapsed. Trees, power poles, and power lines were snapped or felled in both counties. EF1E of HarrisburgPoinsettAR02:36–02:40A tractor disc was moved, and several transmission lines, trees, and power poles were damaged. An office trailer was destroyed, a crop duster hangar and a home were damaged, and a barn was destroyed. EF0N of PrescottNevadaAR02:47–02:48Several tree limbs were snapped, and a tree top was twisted off. EF0W of CarawayCraigheadAR02:58–02:59A tornado was photographed by an eyewitness. EF0WSW of HendricksonButlerMO03:00–03:01Several large trees were downed. EF1MillingtonShelbyTN03:47–03:48Several trees and a couple of wooden poles were downed and twisted.

May 2 event