Ferguson, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ferguson
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 Ferguson, Arkansas
Location in Arkansas
Ferguson, Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| County | Phillips |
| Elevation | 48 m (157 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 57748 |
Ferguson is a small, unincorporated community located in Phillips County, Arkansas, in the United States. An unincorporated community means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's usually managed by the county.
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Understanding Ferguson's Location
Ferguson is found in the eastern part of Arkansas. It's part of Phillips County, which is known for its rich history and agricultural areas. Being an unincorporated community means it's a collection of homes and businesses that share a name but don't have a mayor or city council.
What is an Unincorporated Community?
Imagine a neighborhood that isn't officially a city or town. That's an unincorporated community! People live there, but they rely on the county government for things like roads, police, and fire services. It's different from a city, which has its own local laws and leaders.
The 2011 Tornado Event
On April 26, 2011, Ferguson experienced a powerful tornado. This tornado was part of a much larger weather event called the 2011 Super Outbreak, which saw many tornadoes hit different parts of the United States.
How the Tornado Affected Ferguson
The tornado struck Ferguson at 6:30 PM. It then moved along Arkansas Highway 44, heading towards Coahoma, Mississippi. Scientists rated this tornado as an EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale.
What is an EF0 Tornado?
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale measures how strong a tornado is. An EF0 tornado is the weakest category, but it can still cause damage.
- Wind Speed: The winds in the Ferguson tornado were estimated to be around 80 miles per hour (about 129 kilometers per hour).
- Path and Width: The tornado traveled for about 17.8 miles (28.6 kilometers) and was about 200 yards (183 meters) wide.
- Damage Caused: Even though it was an EF0, the tornado knocked down many trees, power lines, telephone poles, and road signs. It also damaged irrigation facilities, which are important for farming.
