Alert archive / Mississippi / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 20, NWS Jackson, MS

May 22, 2026Forrest County, Lamar County, Mississippi

NWS Jackson, MS issued this flash flood warning at May 22, 2026, 3:54 PM CDT for Forrest County, Lamar County, Mississippi. It was in force for 3 hr. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 22, 2026, 3:54 PM CDT (20:54 UTC)
Expired
May 22, 2026, 7:00 PM CDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Jackson, MS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Forrest County, MS, Lamar County, MS

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 114 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:54 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 22, 4:55 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Sw Petal, MSReports of minor flooding in Petal.
May 22, 5:00 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Ne Hattiesburg, MSMultiple reports of water over roadways in Hattiesburg.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 61 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Slidell Radar S, LA (KSIL), launched 12:00Z, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 100 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Slidell Radar S, LA at 12:00Z on 2026-05-22Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2275 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Slidell Radar S, LA at 12:00Z on 2026-05-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 125 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
2275 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-4 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
674 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
34 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
125 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
169 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

482 
WGUS54 KJAN 222054
FFWJAN
MSC035-073-230000-
/O.NEW.KJAN.FF.W.0020.260522T2054Z-260523T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Jackson MS
354 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Forrest County in southeastern Mississippi...
  Southeastern Lamar County in southeastern Mississippi...

* Until 700 PM CDT.

* At 354 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 4 and 6 inches of rain 
  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are 
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Hattiesburg, Petal, West Hattiesburg, Purvis, Lumberton, Rock 
  Hill, McLaurin, Brooklyn, Pine Ridge, Sunrise, Maxie and Macedonia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3139 8929 3139 8915 3100 8915 3100 8914
      3091 8914 3091 8934 3100 8934 3101 8935
      3101 8942 3098 8943 3098 8948 3100 8948
      3102 8953 3119 8946 3133 8937

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

DC
1 follow-up statement
857 
WGUS74 KJAN 222223
FFSJAN

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
523 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

MSC035-073-230000-
/O.CON.KJAN.FF.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260523T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Forrest MS-Lamar MS-
523 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING 
FOR FORREST AND SOUTHEASTERN LAMAR COUNTIES...

At 523 PM CDT, emergency management and local broadcast media 
reported flash flooding occurring in both Hattiesburg and Petal. 
Storm totals between 4 and 7 inches of rain have fallen, with around 
2 to 3 inches of that occurring over the last three to four hours. 
Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the 
warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain.

SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Hattiesburg, Petal, West Hattiesburg, Purvis, Lumberton, Rock 
  Hill, McLaurin, Brooklyn, Pine Ridge, Sunrise, Maxie and Macedonia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3139 8929 3139 8915 3100 8915 3100 8914
      3091 8914 3091 8934 3100 8934 3101 8935
      3101 8942 3098 8943 3098 8948 3100 8948
      3102 8953 3119 8946 3133 8937

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED

$$

DC

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Jackson, MS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 22, 1:38 PM CDT, 2 hours 16 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • There is a Marginal Risk for a few strong to severe thunderstorms in eastern Mississippi through this afternoon.
  • The potential for heavy rainfall and flooding will continue through the weekend, peaking Sunday into Monday.
  • We will be monitoring the potential for additional heavy rainfall and flash flooding next week.
Area forecast discussion, May 22, 1:38 PM CDT, 2 hours 16 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jackson MS
138 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- There is a Marginal Risk for a few strong to severe
  thunderstorms in eastern Mississippi through this afternoon.

- The potential for heavy rainfall and flooding will continue
  through the weekend, peaking Sunday into Monday.

- We will be monitoring the potential for additional heavy
  rainfall and flash flooding next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 408 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

With limited exception, the synoptic pattern over the CONUS will
feature broad troughiness over the southwestern and south central US
into the middle of next week. Northern jet stream trough will move
out of phase with southern stream over the weekend, but another wave
looks to dig into the Pacific Northwest to start the next work week.
At the Gulf Coast, this pattern will keep unsettled weather in our
forecast for the next 7 days. PWAT values of 1.5-2.0 inches
throughout the period support efficient rainfall with thunderstorms,
and we'll continue to see a possibility for localized flash flooding
around the area. MCV activity, such as with the system affecting the
region early this morning, could focus more intense rainfall over a
small area at times throughout the week ahead with this kind of
pattern. Widespread severe thunderstorm activity is not expected at
this time, but the warm and humid air mass in our region could
support isolated strong to severe storms at times. More specifically
today, in the wake of this early morning system as it lifts north,
convergence and heating in the moisture plume left over eastern
Mississippi could support isolated severe storms. A Marginal Risk
for severe thunderstorms is in place for the afternoon. /NF/

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 125 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

A mix of VFR/MVFR conditions will persist as RA/TSRA impacts
sites through this evening. By 08-12Z BR will begin to be
possible at most TAF sites lowering cat. to IFR/LIFR. Winds will
remain southerly and generally under 10kts./KP/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson       67  85  68  81 /  40  70  70 100
Meridian      68  85  67  83 /  40  60  50  90
Vicksburg     67  85  68  80 /  50  60  80  90
Hattiesburg   69  86  69  82 /  50  70  60  90
Natchez       69  85  69  80 /  50  60  90 100
Greenville    66  84  68  80 /  40  60  70  80
Greenwood     66  85  67  82 /  50  60  80  90

&&

.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...None.
LA...None.
AR...None.
&&

NF/KP

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 22, 11:25 AM CDT, 4 hours 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1125 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0340 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 SSW Reganton          32.12N 90.76W
05/22/2026                   Claiborne          MS   Broadcast Media

            *** 1 INJ ***
            Tree fell on a car along the Natchez Trace
            around mile marker 58. Inj person was
            airlifted. Est winds at this location and
            time appear be 40 mph or less.

&&

CE
Local storm report, May 22, 11:33 AM CDT, 4 hours 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1133 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1000 AM     Flash Flood      6 S Hebron              31.62N 89.37W
05/21/2026                   Jones              MS   Emergency Mngr

            Jones County EMA personnel encountered swift
            moving water crossing Maybelle Road.

&&

EC
Special weather statement, May 22, 1:31 PM CDT, 2 hours 23 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
131 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

MSZ039-046-052-058-221900-
Kemper MS-Lauderdale MS-Noxubee MS-Clarke MS-
131 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN NOXUBEE...EASTERN
KEMPER...CLARKE AND EASTERN LAUDERDALE COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM CDT...

At 131 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Cooksville to 8 miles southwest of Butler.
Movement was east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Cooksville around 135 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3190 8847 3183 8887 3283 8852 3310 8833
TIME...MOT...LOC 1831Z 270DEG 13KT 3293 8834 3203 8834

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KP
Special weather statement, May 22, 3:35 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
335 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

MSZ029-030-222115-
Clay MS-Webster MS-
335 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN WEBSTER AND WEST CENTRAL
CLAY COUNTIES THROUGH 415 PM CDT...

At 335 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Bellefontaine, or 9 miles north of Eupora, moving northeast at 35
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Mantee and Clarkson around 340 PM CDT.
  Cumberland around 345 PM CDT.
  Montpelier around 355 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

High winds can bring down trees and large limbs resulting in serious
injury or property damage. Exercise extreme caution when outdoors
during such strong winds...and be especially aware of older trees.

&&

LAT...LON 3375 8893 3365 8891 3351 8932 3367 8939
      3372 8936 3372 8919 3374 8919 3374 8904
      3375 8903 3376 8897
TIME...MOT...LOC 2035Z 241DEG 30KT 3368 8924

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

OAJ
Special weather statement, May 22, 3:41 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
341 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

MSZ030-031-222115-
Lowndes MS-Clay MS-
341 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CLAY AND CENTRAL
LOWNDES COUNTIES THROUGH 415 PM CDT...

At 341 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Waverly, or 8 miles southeast of West Point, moving northeast at 15
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Columbus, Waverly, and Columbus AFB around 345 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

High winds can bring down trees and large limbs resulting in serious
injury or property damage. Exercise extreme caution when outdoors
during such strong winds...and be especially aware of older trees.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3348 8858 3353 8861 3365 8852 3365 8851
      3367 8848 3366 8846 3367 8845 3367 8842
      3353 8833
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 235DEG 12KT 3353 8855

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

OAJ

The office that day

Everything else NWS Jackson, MS issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 21, 7:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANFranklin44 min
May 21, 7:45 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningJANAttala, Holmes5 days
May 22, 2:54 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANLawrence51 min
May 22, 3:06 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANIssaquena, Sharkey, Yazoo39 min
May 22, 3:58 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANJefferson Davis28 min
May 22, 4:10 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANHumphreys50 min
May 22, 4:23 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANSimpson52 min
May 22, 4:33 AM CDTTornado WarningJANHinds21 min
May 22, 6:20 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANClarke, Jasper55 min
May 22, 7:23 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANClarke, Kemper, Lauderdale37 min
May 22, 7:36 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANJones24 min
May 22, 8:10 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANClarke35 min
May 22, 8:37 AM CDTTornado WarningJANLauderdale8 min
May 22, 8:43 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANClarke47 min
May 22, 1:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANClarke, Lauderdale29 min
May 22, 3:35 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANWebster40 min
May 22, 3:41 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANLowndes34 min
May 22, 4:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANForrest, Jones66 min
May 22, 4:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANClay, Lowndes46 min
May 22, 5:09 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANMarion51 min
May 22, 5:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANCopiah47 min
May 22, 5:35 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANLowndes40 min
May 22, 5:39 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANCovington51 min
May 22, 5:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANCovington, Jefferson Davis, Simpson, Smith40 min
May 22, 6:17 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANCopiah43 min
May 22, 6:18 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANSmith42 min
May 22, 6:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANSimpson, Smith32 min
May 22, 6:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANHumphreys57 min
May 22, 6:50 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANSimpson40 min
May 22, 6:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANFranklin50 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Mississippi, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.