National Weather Service confirms 7 tornadoes touched down in River Valley on June 6
TULSA, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) — The National Weather Service confirmed June 10 that seven tornadoes touched down in Sequoyah County and Van Buren on June 6.
The NWS says a line of severe thunderstorms moved across Sequoyah County and into west-central Arkansas.
Damaging winds occurred along virtually the length of Sequoyah County.
According to the NWS, an EF1 tornado formed near Mc Key in Sequoyah County and moved southeast before turning to the northeast and dissipating northwest of Sallisaw. Wind speeds hit 95 mph.
The NWS says damage appeared to be confined to trees.
An EF1 tornado hit Sallisaw with wind speeds up to 95 mph. It formed between North Wheeler Avenue and South Road 4640, north of East Road 1060. It headed east-southeast, crossing East Road 1060 near South Road 4650. The tornado traveled to South Road 4670 where it dissipated. Damage was primarily done to trees.
An EF1 tornado with wind speeds of up to 90 mph formed near Liberty in Sequoyah County. It formed in the western sections of the community.
The tornado traveled near and just south of East Road 1060. Minor damage was done to the roof of the community's school, and a power pole was damaged. Many trees were damaged. Some trees were uprooted.
Van Buren tornado from June 6 rated EF-1, 2 other brief tornadoes reported
Van Buren was hit by three tornadoes. An EF0 tornado hit the city with wind speeds of 85 mph. The tornado developed just west of the Arkansas River south of Interstate 540 in an open area and traveled across the Arkansas River to the Port of Van Buren. The tornado damaged a fabric and metal storage shelter and the roof of a nearby building. It dissipated as it left the port area.
An EF1 tornado with wind speeds between 95 mph and 105 mph touched down in southeast Van Buren near South 4th Street and Wood Street. The tornado moved rapidly northeast into the area just south of the Baptist Health-Van Buren complex. A commercial building was damaged, along with multiple homes on Ozier Street, Mulberry Street and South 19th Street.
Winds blew in the walls that contained windows of two homes. One home lost its entire roof and the other lost a large portion of its roof. The tornado quickly dissipated, lasting a little more than one minute.
Another EF0 tornado hit Van Buren with 85 mph wind speeds. It traveled near the Union Pacific Railroad line north of Kibler Road and west of Shibley Road. The tornado damaged trees and passed over homes. The NWS says damage to structures appeared to be limited.
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