2014 Mayflower–Vilonia tornado

2014 EF4 tornado in central Arkansas, U.S. the 2014 tornado that struck Vilonia, United States the 2011 tornado 2011 Super Outbreak#Ferndale–Vilonia, Arkansas April 27, 2014, 7:06 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) infobox 1/2 300 2014 Vilonia tornado dash cam.png Volume renderer view of tornado in Vilonia, AR.png P050714PS-0371 (14522023566).jpg 300 Top: A large wedge-shaped cloud that is the tornado. Bottom: Obama standing amongst rubble. Clockwise from top: The tornado seen approaching Vilonia, where nine were killed; then-President Barack Obama surveying tornado damage in Vilonia following the tornado; weather radar reflectivity data in 3D of the supercell that produced the Vilonia tornado 56 minutesThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Little Rock, Arkansas Arkansas Event Report: EF3 Tornado in Pulaski County https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/504758 National Centers for Environmental Information 2014 December 16, 2025 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Little Rock, Arkansas Arkansas Event Report: EF4 Tornado in Faulkner County https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/504760 National Centers for Environmental Information 2014 December 16, 2025 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Little Rock, Arkansas Arkansas Event Report: EF2 Tornado in White County https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/504762 National Centers for Environmental Information 2014 December 16, 2025 April 27, 2014, 8:02 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) 41.10 mi km 1320 yd mi km 190 mph km/h on EF4 16 193 $223.45 million (2014 USD) Paron, Mayflower, Lake Conway, Vilonia, and El Paso, Arkansas tornado outbreak and floods of April 27–30, 2014 and tornadoes of 2014 In the evening of April 27, 2014, a large and destructive high-end EF4 tornado moved through several communities northwest of Little Rock, Arkansas. The event, mononymously known as the Mayflower–Vilonia tornado, was part of a larger outbreak of severe weather across the central and southern United States. It devastated the towns of Paron, Mayflower, Lake Conway, Vilonia, and El Paso. In less than an hour, the tornado injured over one hundred people and killed sixteen. The tornado's destructive path was 41.10 mi km, with a peak width of 1320 yd km. The tornado touched down near the western edge of Pulaski County, moving to the northwest before impacting Paron at EF3 intensity, killing three people and damaging several residential buildings as it moved by. The tornado continued to move to the northwest as it left the community in ruins, reaching EF4 intensity for the first time as it entered the city limits of Mayflower. The tornado produced heavy structural damage as it tore through the southern edge of the town, killing three people. The tornado later hit Vilonia, where it produced high-end EF4 damage. The tornado dissipated a short time later. On April 29, Faulkner County was declared a federal disaster area by President Barack Obama, who was visiting the town of Vilonia to survey the damage and speak with families of the victims. The declaration allowed residents to receive federal aid and low-cost loans to cover uninsured losses.Federal Emergency Management Agency April 29, 2014 April 30, 2014 President Declares Disaster for Arkansas http://www.fema.gov/news-release/2014/04/29/president-declares-disaster-arkansas https://web.archive.org/web/20140502031823/http://www.fema.gov/news-release/2014/04/29/president-declares-disaster-arkansas dead May 2, 2014 Washington, D.C. The final rating of the tornado was a source of controversy, with some damage analysts concluding that EF5 damage was plausible. Meteorological synopsis Tornado outbreak and floods of April 27–30, 2014#Meteorological synopsis Setup vertical April 27, 2014 High Risk.gif The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center's Day 1 Convective Outlook for April 27, showing the Categorical Graphic Apr 27, 2014 2000 UTC Day 1 SPC tornado outlook.gif The probability of a tornado within 25 miles of a point (cross-hatched area: 10% or greater probability of EF2+ tornadoes) The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center outlined a high risk area for severe weather over central Alabama on this map. This version of the map shows a 30% probability of a tornado within 25 miles of a given point in the highest risk area, and a 10% chance of a significant tornado. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) indicated the potential for a large-scale tornado outbreak for six days in advance on its 4–8 day outlook, beginning early on April 19 valid at day 5.Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook Issued on Apr 19, 2014 https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/day4-8/archive/2014/day4-8_20140419.html Storm Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 19, 2014 March 11, 2025 While models diverged on the exact nature and intensity of the expected mid-level shortwave trough, there was broad support for a dry line to develop in central Oklahoma. By April 22, the SPC expanded the threat zone for day 6 for the remainder of Oklahoma and central High Plains region, with strong upper-level winds to spread over the central High Plains.Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook Issued on Apr 22, 2014 https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/day4-8/archive/2014/day4-8_20140422.html Storm Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 22, 2014 March 11, 2025 Three days later, a Day 3 moderate risk was issued early on April 25 for the Ark-La-Tex region, citing the increased risk for a severe weather outbreak, with the risk of trailing supercells.Apr 25, 2014 0730 UTC Day 3 Convective Outlook https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2014/day3otlk_20140425_0730.html Storm Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 25, 2014 March 11, 2025 Forecast The strong mid-level shortwave trough developed into a closed low-pressure area as the system occluded over the central High Plains on April 27, 2014. An associated surface cyclone reached peak intensity while a trailing cold front moved eastward across eastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma and northern Texas. There were two areas where severe weather was expected: morning prefrontal convection from Kansas and Oklahoma into Missouri and Iowa and warm sector supercell development across southeast Oklahoma and northeast Texas into Arkansas.Apr 27, 2014 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2014/day1otlk_20140427_2000.html Storm Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 27, 2014 May 1, 2014 By 20:00 UTC on April 27, the SPC issued a rare high risk for much of central Arkansas and a 30% hatched risk for tornadoes across the same corridor, citing the anticipation of numerous supercells capable of producing intense tornadoes. Expected thermodynamic conditions of storm-relative helicity values in of 300–400 m2s−2, convective available potential energy (CAPE) values of 2,500–3,000 J/kg−1, a 40–50 kn low level jet and boundary-layer dewpoints of 14 to 16 C F on flip were expected to foster supercell development and strong to intense tornadoes across Arkansas, along with very large hail. A particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado watch was issued at that time for central Arkansas,Center Storm Prediction Storm Prediction Center Tornado/Severe Thunderstorm Watch Page https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/2014/ww0100.html 2025-03-11 Storm Prediction Center EN-US where the Mayflower–Vilonia tornado would soon develop. Tornado summary Formation thumb|The tornado in rural Faulkner County, seen from the Maumelle area At 7:06 p.m. CDT (0006 UTC), the tornado touched down on Heinze Cove in western Pulaski County, roughly 6 mi km east of Paron, and tracked north-northeast. After crossing the Turkey Trail and uprooting trees at EF1 strength, the tornado dramatically intensified and struck a small residential area at EF3 intensity. Two homes were destroyed and another was severely damaged in this area. One of the homes was built with bolts along the foundation perimeter and was reduced to a bare slab,"Slabs" refer to the cement or brick foundations that buildings rest on, a feature common in structures located in the United States. normally indicative of EF5 strength; however, it was found that the anchor bolts were not secured with nuts and washers, and nearby vehicles were not moved, which indicated a lesser intensity. Three people were killed in that area. The storm weakened as it turned more northeasterly and moved through a forested area. Damage to trees and homes in this area was rated EF1. At 7:14 p.m. (0014 UTC), it struck Northpoint at EF2 intensity, causing severe damage to several homes. Roofs were removed entirely from homes, though the walls on these structures remained mostly intact. After briefly crossing Lake Maumelle, the tornado caused significant tree damage between Roland and Natural Steps with some trees being stripped of their foliage and debarked. Moving through an unpopulated area, the tornado intensified before crossing the Arkansas River and entering Faulkner County around 7:26 p.m. (0026 UTC).May 1, 2014 April 27, 2014 Arkansas tornado surveys http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/lzk/gis/tor042714a.kml May 2, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140503040549/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/lzk/gis/tor042714a.kml May 3, 2014 National Weather Service Office in Little Rock, Arkansas National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .KMLinline,title Impact in Mayflower left|thumb|The tornado approaching Mayflower as seen from a security camera. The tornado entered Faulkner County and struck the River Plantation subdivision at the southwest edge of Mayflower.April 27, 2023 Nine years later: Looking back at Arkansas tornado that killed 16 people https://www.thv11.com/article/features/looking-back-at-tornado-that-killed-16-people/91-75131b54-e2e3-487f-b085-4aa3c4834328 February 2, 2025 THV11 en-US Here, EF4 damage took place with large, two-story homes being leveled with only piles of debris left on their foundations. On the northeast side of the subdivision, one person was killed after debris struck the door of her storm shelter and opened it, exposing her to the tornado. The storm shelter's door was found to have been of sub-standard construction. Near where this fatality took place, large concrete road barriers were blown over and moved, and calculations revealed that this was also likely indicative of EF4 intensity.Marshall Timothy Timothy P. Marshall November 6, 2014 Damage Survey of the Mayflower-Vilonia, Arkansas Tornado https://ams.confex.com/ams/27SLS/webprogram/Paper254346.html American Meteorological Society December 11, 2014 Just outside the subdivision, a power substation sustained major damage. Continuing northeast, the storm tore across the south edge of Mayflower and crossed AR 365 and I-40, tossing semi-trucks, cars, and road equipment from the highway. I-40 was closed for a time after the storm.Tornadoes Shut Interstate 40 in Arkansas, TTNews, April 28, 2014 thumb|Track map of the tornado through southern Mayflower. The color-coded triangles indicate the level of damage at a specific location, and the red line indicates the path of the tornado.Key #7ef4d4 EF0 65–85 mph #acfb82 EF1 86–110 mph #f5f57b EF2 111–135 mph #eac57b EF3 136–165 mph #eb817d EF4 166–200 mph end|alt=A red line going through a town and over a lake. A business district in this area experienced mainly EF3 damage, with 18-wheelers tossed, industrial buildings damaged or destroyed, and some nearby homes heavily damaged. A recreational vehicle (RV) dealership on the other side of the highway was destroyed at EF4 intensity (though meteorologist/civil engineer Tim Marshall applied an EF3 rating at this location due to structural flaws), along with most of the RVs; three of which were found wrapped around a nearby billboard. A vehicle repair shop, millwork company, construction company, and church in southern Mayflower were also destroyed, and a home improvement store was badly damaged.Event Report: EF4 Tornado (Faulkner County) http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=504760 February 2, 2025 National Centers for Environmental Information In addition to the fatality in the storm shelter, two other people were killed in Mayflower. The tornado then crossed Lake Conway, downing numerous trees and causing a mixture of EF2 and EF3 damage to homes along the lake shore. Some block-foundation frame homes along with multiple mobile homes were swept into the lake by the tornado. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission lost a clubhouse, shop, horse barn, residence, metal carports, shower house, and several dog kennels in this area, and eventually removed 627 tons of tornado debris from the lake. The tornado then caused mainly EF2 damage as it struck areas in and around Saltillo. Numerous homes, mobile homes, sheds, barns, trees, and a church were damaged or destroyed in the Saltillo area. Two homes near Saltillo had only interior walls left standing, with the damage to those homes rated EF3.Damage Assessment Toolkit https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/StormDamage/DamageViewer/ February 2, 2025 NOAA Damage to Vilonia and later dissipation Further northeast, the tornado began to re-intensify dramatically as it approached the Vilonia Bypass (US 64), reaching EF4 strength for a second time. Just southwest of the bypass, some poorly anchored homes were obliterated and swept from their foundations, and cars were tossed hundreds of yards away. Another frame home was left with only interior walls standing, and two mobile homes were obliterated with the frames thrown up to two streets away. Two children were killed in these homes. Shortly before 7:50 p.m. (0050 UTC), the tornado moved into the town of Vilonia at high-end EF4 strength, which had been struck by an EF2 tornado that killed four people on April 25, 2011, three years and two days prior.Alexander Smith April 28, 2014 Tornado Hits Vilonia, Arkansas, for 2nd Time in Just Three Years http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/deadly-tornado-outbreak/tornado-hits-vilonia-arkansas-2nd-time-just-three-years-n91176 live https://web.archive.org/web/20140502212902/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/deadly-tornado-outbreak/tornado-hits-vilonia-arkansas-2nd-time-just-three-years-n91176 May 2, 2014 May 2, 2014 NBC News mdy The EF4 tornado first struck the recently built Vilonia Middle School, destroying the top floor and causing most walls to collapse. With winds estimated as high as 190 mph km/h on and the circulation spanning 3/4 mi km on,April 28, 2014 NWS Damage Survey for 04/27/14 Tornado Event https://nwschat.weather.gov/p.php?pid=201404290123-KLZK-NOUS44-PNSLZK April 28, 2014 National Weather Service, Little Rock, Arkansas National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration the tornado moved through the town center. Numerous homes and businesses were destroyed with only piles of debris or bare slabs left behind, and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and mangled beyond recognition, some of which were crushed into small balls or stripped down to their frames. Trees in town were completely debarked and denuded, low-lying shrubs were completely stripped and debarked, and extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred.http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2014/04/aerial-assessment-of-southern-states-tornado-damage/#1 https://web.archive.org/web/20150930223748/http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2014/04/aerial-assessment-of-southern-states-tornado-damage/#1 dead September 30, 2015 Aerial assessment of southern states tornado damage Gordon Kalani April 30, 2013 The Dark Room The Baltimore Sun March 4, 2014 An aerial flyover revealed an extensive swath of ground scouring through the town.April 28, 2014 Video: Aerial footage of Mayflower, Vilonia tornado http://thecabin.net/latest-news/2014-04-28/video-aerial-footage-mayflower-violnia-tornado#.VQMjzY7F-oy March 13, 2015 The Log Cabin Democrat April 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402135839/http://thecabin.net/latest-news/2014-04-28/video-aerial-footage-mayflower-violnia-tornado#.VQMjzY7F-oy dead thumb|226x226px|Aerial view of EF4 damage in Vilonia|alt=A row of homes taken off their foundations and "slabbed".A dollar store, a strip mall, two auto repair shops, the old city hall, a gas station, a church life center, a real estate office, an investment firm, an auto parts store, and a fried fish restaurant were all completely destroyed in downtown Vilonia. The crumpled remains of a 29,998-pound metal fertilizer tank were found behind the destroyed strip mall, nearly 3/4 mi km on away from where it originated. Nine people were killed in the town. As it moved out of downtown Vilonia, it tore directly through the Parkwood Meadows subdivision on the northeast side of town. Entire rows of homes were reduced to bare slabs at this location, though it was revealed that the vast majority of the homes were nailed rather than bolted to their foundations, preventing an EF5 rating. Continuing past Vilonia, the tornado weakened to EF3 strength as it passed just south of Williams Lake. A large metal arena building and a mobile home were destroyed in that area, with a few other structures sustaining EF1 damage nearby. Shortly after 8:00 p.m. (0100 UTC) the storm moved through densely forested areas and into White County, just west of El Paso. The tornado briefly regained EF2 status and destroyed two manufactured homes. One person was killed in one of the manufactured homes at this location.Arkansas Matters April 29, 2014 May 2, 2014 Remembering the Arkansas Tornado Victims http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/remembering-the-arkansas-tornado-victims/22658/7tw_zTLrSU60eqHbqeIBbQ May 2, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140502224200/http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/remembering-the-arkansas-tornado-victims/22658/7tw_zTLrSU60eqHbqeIBbQ live mdy It soon dissipated at 8:02 p.m. (0106 UTC) roughly 1 mi km north-northeast of El Paso near a forested area.Farrar Thomas April 28, 2024 10 Years Later: Reflecting on devastating tornado in Mayflower and Vilonia https://katv.com/news/local/10-year-later-reflecting-on-devastating-tornado-in-mayflower-and-vilonia-national-weather-service-ef4-storm-severe-weather-arkansas-barry-brandt-james-bryant-ned-perme-destruction-devastation-fema-rebuild February 2, 2025 KATV en Overall, the tornado remained on the ground for 56 minutes, from 7:06 p.m. to 8:02 p.m. (0006 – 0102 UTC) and traveled along a 41.1 mi km path.April 27, 2021 7 years ago: EF4 tornado hit central Arkansas, killing 16 and injuring 200 https://www.kark.com/weather/weather-headlines/7-years-ago-ef4-tornado-hit-central-arkansas-killing-16-and-injuring-200/ February 2, 2025 KARK en-US Later tornadoes The same supercell that produced the Mayflower–Vilonia tornado later dropped four other tornadoes, all in the state of Arkansas.NWS Little Rock, AR - Tornadoes/Flooding on April 27-28, 2014 https://www.weather.gov/lzk/svr0414c.htm# February 2, 2025 National Weather Service EN-US The strongest, rated EF2, injured one person near Center Hill. EF#LocationCountyStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary EF2SE of Joy to Center Hill to SSE of Mount PisgahWhite35.2491 -91.9215 Joy (Apr. 27, EF2)0116–01257.32 mi km on on880 yd m on onTwo manufactured homes, two barns, and a tractor shed were destroyed, a site-built home had its exterior walls collapsed, and a metal barn was leaned over. A site-built home and a few mobile homes sustained roof damage, and hundreds of trees were downed as well. One person was injured.2014 Event Report: EF2 Tornado http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=504764 July 21, 2014 National Climatic Data Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration EF0Steprock areaWhite35.4236 -91.674 Steprock (Apr. 27, EF0)0138–01401.64 mi km on on250 yd m on onA brief tornado downed numerous trees, resulting in damage five homes.2014 Event Report: EF0 Tornado http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=504765 July 21, 2014 National Climatic Data Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration EF1NNW of Bare Stone to N of DenmarkWhite, Jackson35.4639 -91.6414 Bare Stone (Apr. 27, EF1)0143–01495.28 mi km on on100 yd m on onA farm building was destroyed, a home was damaged, and several trees were downed.2014 Event Report: EF1 Tornado http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=504770 July 21, 2014 National Climatic Data Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration EF1WNW of Union HillIndependence35.5439 -91.5524 Union Hill (Apr. 27, EF1)0152–01530.84 mi km on on50 yd m on onA brief tornado downed trees and power lines.National Weather Service Office in Little Rock, Arkansas 2014 Event Report: EF1 Tornado http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=504771 July 21, 2014 National Climatic Data Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Aftermath 16 people were killed as a direct result of the tornado while 193 others were injured. The sixteen fatalities made the tornado the deadliest in Arkansas since an F4 tornado killed 35 on May 15, 1968. It was also the first EF4 tornado of 2014 in the United States, as well as the first EF4-rated tornado to impact Arkansas since May 24-25, 2011. +Confirmed fatalities from the Mayflower tornadoApril 28, 2014 Names of Arkansas tornado victims released https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2014/apr/28/names-arkansas-tornado-victims-released/ December 11, 2024 Arkansas Online enJune 3, 2014 Victims of the April 2014 Tornado Outbreak https://weather.com/news/news/victims-deadly-tornado-outbreak-20140429 February 2, 2025 The Weather Channel en-USNameAgeCountyCommunityLocation of deathEvent Report: EF4 Tornado (White County) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/504762 February 2, 2025 National Centers for Environmental InformationEvent Report: EF4 Tornado (Pulaski County) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/504758 February 2, 2025 National Centers for Environmental InformationPaula Blakemore55WhiteEl PasoEl Paso RoadMark Bradley51FaulknerMayflowerFortner DriveHelen Greer72Plantation DriveRobert Oliver82Dam RoadUnknownAn injured woman gave birth to a child immediately following the tornado, which died shortly after being born. The death is counted as a direct result of the tornado.0Ponderosa DriveJamye Collins50ViloniaU.S. Route 64Jeffrey HunterBerry Josh April 27, 2015 Remembering April 27th: Jeffrey Hunter’s Final "Goodbye" Texts https://www.kark.com/news/remembering-april-27th-jeffrey-hunters-final-goodbye-texts/ February 2, 2025 KARK en-US22Clover Ridge DriveDennis Lavergne52Cemetery RoadGlenna Lavergne53David Mallory58North StreetCameron Smith9Cody LaneTyler Smith7Daniel Wassom31Aspen Creek DriveTori Tittle20SalineParonDeer DriveRebekah Tittle14Rob Tittle48 thumb|Ground scouring produced by the tornado (whitish line, bottom left to top right) seen on May 2. The scouring was so intense that it was visible on satellite imagery.Voiland Adam May 6, 2014 Tornado Damage in Mayflower, Arkansas https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/83612/tornado-damage-in-mayflower-arkansas February 2, 2025 NASA Earth Observatory en|alt=See caption Damage The tornado extensively damaged both Mayflower and Vilonia along a 41.1 mi km on path. In Mayflower, the tornado inflicted EF3 and EF4-rated damage to numerous structures, including homes and a large metal building.Marshall Robinson Kiesling Tanner 5 The tornado also tossed cars and wrapped mobile homes around a billboard, indicative of high strength.Marshall Robinson Kiesling Tanner 5 Debris produced by the tornado in Mayflower was found in Lake Conway; 1,254,000 lb kg of debris were fished out of the lake.Marshall Robinson Kiesling Tanner 6 In the Vilonia area, the tornado crumbled the concrete walls of a strip mall and a large steel tank weighing approximately 29,998 lb kg was lofted and tossed 3,911 ft m before being dropped next to the strip mall.Marshall Robinson Kiesling Tanner 7 Concrete parking stops, located in the parking lot of the Vilonia United Methodist Church were shifted laterally by the tornado; damage of this degree was also observed in the 2011 Joplin and 2011 El Reno–Piedmont EF5 tornadoes.Marshall Robinson Kiesling Tanner 8 The tornado produced ground scouring deep enough to be viewed on satellite imagery.2014-05-07 Deadly Tornado's Track Seen from Space https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna55122641 February 2, 2025 NBC News en EF4 rating controversy Disagreements on the intensity of tornadoes EF5 drought The National Weather Service office in Little Rock noted that if this tornado occurred prior to the change to the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2007, the damage it caused "might [have been] justification for an F5 rating." However, it was revealed that almost every home in Vilonia lacked anchor bolts and were anchored with cut nails instead.No EF5 This Time: Anchor Bolts Not Detected in Most Construction https://www.weather.gov/lzk/anchor0514.htm February 2, 2025 National Weather Service EN-US The new scale accounts for homes that use cut nails instead of anchor bolts, which do not effectively provide resistance against violent tornadoes.Brantley Max May 5, 2014 Meteorologist defends EF4 rating on Vilonia tornado http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2014/05/05/meteorologist-defends-ef4-rating-on-vilonia-tornado March 4, 2015 Arkansas Timesthumb|226x226px|High-end EF4 damage to a home in Vilonia|alt=Foundation of a home destroyed by the tornadoThe final decision on an EF4 rating was based on this as well. However, meteorologist/civil engineer Timothy P. Marshall noted in his survey of the damage that the rating assigned was "lower bound", and despite the presence of construction flaws, this doesn't rule out "the possibility that EF5 winds could have occurred." Further inspection from surveyors revealed that one home that was swept away along E Wicker St. was indeed properly bolted to its foundation. However, an inspection of the context surrounding the house revealed that small trees in a ditch near the home were still standing and that the residence had possibly been pummeled by heavy debris from downtown Vilonia, exacerbating the level of destruction. On January 23, 2025, Anthony W. Lyza with the National Severe Storms Laboratory along with Harold E. Brooks and Makenzie J. Kroca with the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology published a paper to the American Meteorological Society, where they stated the tornado in Vilonia was an "EF5 candidate" and opined that the EF5 starting wind speed should be 190 mph km/h on instead of 201 mph km/h on.Lyza Anthony W. Brooks Harold E. Krocak Makenzie J. January 23, 2025 Where Have the EF5s Gone? A Closer Look at the "Drought" of the Most Violent Tornadoes in the United States https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/aop/BAMS-D-24-0066.1/BAMS-D-24-0066.1.xml Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society American Meteorological Society 10.1175/BAMS-D-24-0066.1 February 2, 2025 subscription Recovery efforts Members of the Arkansas National Guard were deployed to Vilonia to aid in recovery efforts.Arkansas National Guard helps its neighbors after fierce tornado sweeps area https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article-View/Article/575644/arkansas-national-guard-helps-its-neighbors-after-fierce-tornado-sweeps-area/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250319233150/https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article-View/Article/575644/arkansas-national-guard-helps-its-neighbors-after-fierce-tornado-sweeps-area/ 2025-03-19 2026-03-25 National Guard en-US Regarding recovery efforts, U.S. senator John Boozman noted that “I was able to get over here not too long after [the tornado] and survey the damage. The amount of work that’s been done, the way the local community have banded together with their citizens, is truly amazing".2015-05-28 Officials 'amazed' by tornado recovery efforts https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=828 2026-03-25 U.S. Congressman French Hill en Case studies Mayflower Door Analysis Following the event, researchers from Texas Tech University conducted a study on an above-ground shelter where one death in Mayflower was recorded. The shelter remained intact, but the metal door of the shelter was bent and blown open by a large piece of debris.Tanner Kiesling 1 The study found that the door was not properly constructed and was not in compliance with Federal Emergency Management Agency standards. The study also recommended that all safe room doors should be tested to prevent in-shelter fatalities from occurring during tornadoes.Tanner Kiesling 6 Damage survey of the Mayflower–Vilonia Arkansas tornado An in-depth damage survey was conducted by four researchers, including engineer Timothy P. Marshall, in conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service, along the damage path produced by the tornado. The study found that two areas of damage produced by the tornado, both to retail buildings, may have received an EF5 rating if the structures were well-built.Marshall Robinson Kiesling Tanner 11 See also Tornado intensity EF5 drought List of F4, EF4, and IF4 tornadoes List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2010–2019) 2011 Super Outbreak – A historic tornado outbreak that produced an EF2 tornado in Vilonia 3 years prior 2025 Diaz tornado – Another high-end EF4 tornado that struck northeastern Arkansas nearly 11 years later 2008 Atkins–Clinton tornado – Another devastating EF4 tornado that carved a long path across central and northern Arkansas over 6 years prior 2023 Little Rock tornado – An EF3 tornado that moved directly through Little Rock nine years later, causing less casualties but more insured losses References and notes Notes note References Sources Tanner Larry J. Kiesling Ernst W. Analysis of the Above-ground Shelter Door Failure: April 27, 2014 Tornado, Mayflower, Arkansas https://www.depts.ttu.edu/nwi/research/DebrisImpact/MayflowerReportLarryTanner.pdf National Wind Institute Debris Impact Facility Texas Tech University Marshall Timothy P. Timothy P. Marshall Robinson John Kiesling Ernst Tanner Larry Damage survey of the Mayflower-Vilonia Arkansas tornado: 27 April 2014 https://www.academia.edu/25105088/Damage_survey_of_the_Mayflower_Vilonia_Arkansas_tornado_27_April_2014 National Wind Institute Texas Tech University; Irving, Texas February 2, 2025 Academia External links Documentary titled wpLVTyJnlKM "Vilonia - The Strongest Tornado in Decades" 34.7787 -92.652 title 2014-04-27 04-27 2014-04-27 Category:April 2014 in the United States