Trailer destroyed by storm winds

The pile of debris pictured is all the remains of a 31-foot travel trailer that belonged to Ricky and Sheila Vaughn. The trailer was destroyed by heavy winds Monday afternoon in the couple's yard between Piggott and Holly Island. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

Strong storms swept across portions of Northeast Arkansas Monday afternoon, dumping several inches of rainfall on the already-wet region and causing some wind damage.

The heaviest damage was reported at the residence of Ricky and Sheila Vaughn, at 5384 Route 139 between Piggott and Holly Island. At that location the Vaughn's 31-foot travel trailer was blown across their yard, destroying the unit but luckily causing no injuries.

"We didn't hear a thing, but it rolled over twice before it landed here in the driveway," Sheila Vaughn noted of the experience. "I was here with my son's girlfriend, but we didn't hear anything."

Strong winds apparently blew the travel trailer from its concrete pad in a southeast direction, flipping it at least twice before it collapsed in a pile of rubble. The winds also blew lawn furniture about the Vaughn's yard and flattened a recently-planted evergreen tree.

"The bad thing about it is that we just planted a plum tree over the weekend, and the trailer landed right on top of it," Sheila added.

Her husband, Ricky, owner of Ricky Vaughn Trucking, was on the road hauling fertilizer to Memphis at the time and returned as soon as he could. He added that he noticed debris and items from the yard blown in several directions as the frontal system passed.

According to Travis Boyd, Clay County Office of Emergency Services Coordinator, the Vaughn's trailer was the only damage reported from the storm system. "We had some limbs down here and there, and some heavy rainfall, but that was the only wind damage reported."

The system, which prompted tornado, severe thunderstorm and flood warnings across the region Monday afternoon, moved through quickly, although rainfall amounts were substantial. There also were some power outages, but officials noted most of those were short.

Boyd noted that unofficial rainfall amounts varied across the county, from just over an inch in some locations to nearly four inches in others. Luckily no serious flooding was reported.

More storms were moving through the region Tuesday, but weather forecasters are calling for improved conditions as the week progresses.