National Weather Service rules out tornado
Posted on Tuesday, May 6, 2008
BENTON COUNTY - Many people in Benton County who sifted through debris and downed trees early Friday morning expected the National Weather Service to confirm that at least one tornado had touched down. But after visiting the area, experts remain convinced that straightline winds were to blame.
"The National Weather Service had experts here Friday afternoon, and consensus is straight-line winds peaking at 80 to 100 mph are to blame," said Marshal Watson, director of the Benton County Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
Watson said such storms normally move through Benton County a couple of times each year, but that the difference this time around was how widespread the storm was.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm, which hit at approximately 4: 15 a.m. Friday, moved through Siloam Springs, Gentry, Highfill, Centerton and parts of northern Bentonville, northern Rogers and Avoca.
The storm killed one person - 15-year-old Eliana Chacon of Siloam Springs.
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