Arkansas Tornado Count Already Twice That of Typical Year

Arkansas has seen 59 tornadoes so far this year, a number more than twice what the state sees in a typical year. There also have been 22 weather-related deaths.

The warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service in North Little Rock, John Robinson, says Arkansas has an average of 26 tornadoes in a year.

There are five weather service offices that cover parts of Arkansas, and Robinson says the actual tornado count could vary as the offices’ tornado statistics are reviewed.

According to Robinson, six people have died this year due to tornadoes, six have died due to severe thunderstorms and 10 have died in floods. Arkansas has an average of four tornado deaths per year, and fewer than seven deaths from lightning, thunderstorms and floods.