NWS Updates Report on Bakersfield Tornado

A tornado that struck the Ozark County Community of Bakersfield was wider and on the ground longer.

According to an updated report from the National Weather Service in Springfield, the March 14 Tornado that began on the Arkansas side of the state line in Baxter County began as an EF-1, but intensified to an EF-3 by the time it crossed the state line.  The width of the storm is now believed to have been around 1200, double of the original estimate. 

In addition, forecasters now say the tornado was on the ground for just under 36 miles, triple the distance originally reported which means the twister stayed on the ground into Howell County with the track taking it to the south of West Plains before lifting seven miles east of the city. 

The report updates the totaled of injured to four in addition to the three people who died in Bakersfield due to the storm.