2008 Atkins–Clinton tornado

During the late afternoon and evening hours of February 5, 2008, a long-track and deadly EF4 tornado moved through central and northern Arkansas, impacting several towns and communities including Atkins, Clinton and Mountain View along a 122-mile (196 km) path. A total of 13 fatalities were recorded and 163 people were injured, making the tornado the deadliest in Arkansas since 1997, where another violent and deadly tornado impacted communities in central Arkansas and killed 15. The tornado was part of a larger tornado outbreak that took place during Super Tuesday 2008, and had the longest path of the outbreak.

The tornado first touched down in Yell County, intensifying into Pope County before impacting the community of Atkins at EF3 intensity, damaging or destroying several homes and killing five people. Maintaining intensity, the tornado tore through Conway County, destroying more homes and downing trees and power poles, killing two more people. The tornado became violent in Van Buren County, demolishing several homes and businesses near Clinton, killing an additional three people. Throughout Stone, Izard, and Sharp counties; several more homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed at EF3-EF4 intensity, trees and power poles were snapped and toppled, and more fatalities occurred before the tornado dissipated near Highland. The tornado was on the ground for 127 minutes, had a maximum width of 1320 yards (1.21 km) and traveled approximately 121.84 miles (196.08 km) through several counties and communities, making the path length the longest on record in Arkansas since 1950. Damage costs totaled an estimated $119.31 million.