Man Rides Out Tornado Inside Pest Control Van in Little Rock

On April 2, 2023, Cody Coombes survived an EF-3 tornado in Little Rock, Arkansas, by sheltering inside his pest control van. The National Weather Service reported the tornado had estimated peak winds of 165 mph and tore through Pulaski and Lonoke counties. The storm killed five people total - one in North Little Rock and four in Wynne, Arkansas. Coombes' decision to stay in his vehicle rather than seek traditional shelter proved life-saving as the tornado caused catastrophic damage across the region. CNN obtained footage showing the aftermath of the tornado, which was part of a severe weather outbreak that affected multiple states across the southeastern United States. The video captured the extensive destruction left in the tornado's path, highlighting the power of these extreme weather events.