Mississippi, 1997

Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Mississippi, May 2 to 3, 1997

May 2 to 3, 1997 · NWS JAN · 61 events in 24 counties and zones

28 thunderstorm wind, 23 hail, 5 tornado, 5 flash flood, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$618,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
61

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

28 thunderstorm wind, 23 hail, 5 tornado, 5 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Sunflower

When
May 2, 11:35 AM CST
Where
Sunflower County, Ruleville
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
33.730, -90.570

Hail, Carroll

When
May 2, 1:33 PM CST
Where
Carroll County, Vaiden
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
33.330, -89.750

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When
May 2, 1:50 PM CST to 2:25 PM CST
Where
Montgomery County, Kilmichael
Property damage
$3,000
Coordinates
33.430, -89.580

Numerous trees were blown down along Highways 413, 82 and 17.

Hail, Webster

When
May 2, 2:20 PM CST
Where
Webster County, Tomnolen
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
33.480, -89.370

Thunderstorm Wind, Oktibbeha

When
May 2, 2:25 PM CST
Where
Oktibbeha County, Starkville
Property damage
$1,000
Coordinates
33.470, -88.830

A couple of trees were blown down in Starkville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Webster

When
May 2, 2:25 PM CST
Where
Webster County, Eupora
Property damage
$3,000
Coordinates
33.530, -89.280

Numerous trees were blown down along Highway 82 and the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leflore

When
May 2, 3:10 PM CST
Where
Leflore County, 3 mi W of Greenwood
Property damage
$10,000
Coordinates
33.520, -90.230

A construction trailer and a storage shed were blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leflore

When
May 2, 3:40 PM CST
Where
Leflore County, Greenwood
Property damage
$10,000
Coordinates
33.520, -90.180

Numerous trees were blown down and some buildings were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When
May 2, 3:56 PM CST
Where
Montgomery County, Duck Hill
Property damage
$4,000
Coordinates
33.630, -89.720

Numerous trees were blown down in Duck Hill.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grenada

When
May 2, 4:00 PM CST
Where
Grenada County, Elliott
Property damage
$5,000
Coordinates
33.680, -89.750

Several trees were blown down. One tree fell on a building.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grenada

When
May 2, 4:15 PM CST
Where
Grenada County, Grenada
Property damage
$5,000
Coordinates
33.780, -89.820

The roof of an airport hanger was blown off.

Hail, Choctaw

When
May 2, 4:35 PM CST
Where
Choctaw County, French Camp
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$30,000
Coordinates
33.300, -89.400

Many roofs of houses and automobiles were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sharkey

When
May 2, 4:42 PM CST
Where
Sharkey County, Rolling Fork
Property damage
$3,000
Coordinates
32.900, -90.870

Several trees and large limbs were blown down.

Hail, Sharkey

When
May 2, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Sharkey County, Anguilla
Measured
1.5 in hail
Coordinates
32.970, -90.820

Thunderstorm Wind, Sharkey

When
May 2, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Sharkey County, Rolling Fork
Property damage
$5,000
Coordinates
32.900, -90.870

Numerous trees were blown down in Rolling fork and several other locations throughout Sharkey county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Webster

When
May 2, 5:10 PM CST
Where
Webster County, Eupora
Property damage
$3,000
Coordinates
33.530, -89.280

Numerous trees were blown down or uprooted.

Hail, Humphreys

When
May 2, 5:13 PM CST
Where
Humphreys County, Belzoni
Measured
2.75 in hail
Property damage
$100,000
Coordinates
33.180, -90.500

Baseball size hail broke out the windows of a car dealership and damage numerous cars.

Thunderstorm Wind, Humphreys

When
May 2, 5:13 PM CST
Where
Humphreys County, Belzoni
Measured
78 kt (90 mph)
Property damage
$100,000
Coordinates
33.180, -90.500

After baseball size hail broke out the windows of a car dealership strong wind entered the building and peeled the roof off. The roofs of two adjacent buildings were partially peeled off. Numerous light poles were blown down. Minor damage was done to some apartment buildings. Numerous trees were blown down. This storm is the same one that would later produce a tornado in Holmes county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
May 2, 5:30 PM CST
Where
Washington County, Leland
Property damage
$2,000
Coordinates
33.400, -90.920

Several trees were blown down.

Tornado, Holmes

When
May 2, 5:30 PM CST to 5:55 PM CST
Where
Holmes County, Tchula to 1 mi ESE of Emory
Rating
F3
Path length
20 mi
Path width
200 yd
Property damage
$200,000
Coordinates
33.170, -90.230

This tornado initially touched down 1 mile south of Tchula and moved northeast to 2 miles east southeast of Emory. The path width and strength varied along the path, but at its widest point was 200 yards. The worst damage occurred at a school 2 miles east of Tchula where major damage was done. Fortunately the the school was almost vacant. Along the remainder of the path mostly F1 and F2 damage occurred. Several houses were damaged and one mobile home was flipped over. Of course numerous trees were blown down along the entire path.

Hail, Sharkey

When
May 2, 5:40 PM CST
Where
Sharkey County, Panther Burn
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$20,000
Coordinates
33.070, -90.880

Golf ball size hail damaged roofs and automobiles.

Tornado, Attala

When
May 2, 6:00 PM CST to 6:03 PM CST
Where
Attala County, Hesterville to 10 mi NE of Hesterville
Rating
F1
Path length
2 mi
Path width
50 yd
Property damage
$4,000
Coordinates
33.270, -89.550

Numerous trees were blown down or uprooted.

Tornado, Montgomery

When
May 2, 6:03 PM CST to 6:05 PM CST
Where
Montgomery County, Poplar Creek to 5 mi SE of Poplar Creek
Rating
F1
Path length
1 mi
Path width
50 yd
Property damage
$2,000
Coordinates
33.280, -89.520

This tornado touched down in Attala county and traveled a short distance into Montgomery county. Several trees were blown down in Montgomery county.

Hail, Montgomery

When
May 2, 6:15 PM CST
Where
Montgomery County, Winona
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
33.480, -89.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When
May 2, 6:15 PM CST
Where
Carroll County, Carrollton
Property damage
$3,000
Coordinates
33.500, -89.920

Numerous trees were blown down.

Hail, Carroll

When
May 2, 6:15 PM CST
Where
Carroll County, Carrollton
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
33.500, -89.920

Hail, Humphreys

When
May 2, 6:18 PM CST
Where
Humphreys County, Belzoni
Measured
1.25 in hail
Coordinates
33.180, -90.500

Hail, Choctaw

When
May 2, 6:48 PM CST
Where
Choctaw County, 2 mi N of Ackerman
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
33.350, -89.170

Hail, Carroll

When
May 2, 6:53 PM CST
Where
Carroll County, Vaiden
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
33.330, -89.750

Hail, Montgomery

When
May 2, 7:00 PM CST
Where
Montgomery County, 8 mi SE of Kilmichael
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
33.350, -89.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Sunflower

When
May 2, 7:15 PM CST
Where
Sunflower County, Indianola
Property damage
$3,000
Coordinates
33.450, -90.650

Numerous trees were blown down.

Hail, Washington

When
May 2, 7:30 PM CST
Where
Washington County, Greenville
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
33.400, -91.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes

When
May 2, 7:30 PM CST
Where
Holmes County, Lexington
Property damage
$3,000
Coordinates
33.120, -90.050

Numerous trees were blown down through the city.

Hail, Bolivar

When
May 2, 7:30 PM CST
Where
Bolivar County, Benoit
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
33.650, -91.020

Hail, Choctaw

When
May 2, 7:40 PM CST
Where
Choctaw County, 3 mi W of Ackerman
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
33.320, -89.220

Thunderstorm Wind, Oktibbeha

When
May 2, 7:45 PM CST
Where
Oktibbeha County, Starkville
Property damage
$2,000
Coordinates
33.470, -88.830

Several trees were blown down at the intersection of Highways 82 and 25.

Tornado, Carroll

When
May 2, 7:50 PM CST
Where
Carroll County, Vaiden
Rating
F0
Path length
1 mi
Path width
40 yd
Property damage
$1,000
Coordinates
33.330, -89.750

This tornado touched down briefly and only blew down a couple of trees.

Flash Flood, Carroll

When
May 2, 8:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where
Carroll County, Carrollton
Property damage
$5,000
Coordinates
33.449, -89.920 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Many streets were flooded in Carrollton. Water washed out a culvert.

Hail, Webster

When
May 2, 8:00 PM CST
Where
Webster County, Tomnolen
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
33.480, -89.370

Flash Flood, Montgomery

When
May 2, 8:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where
Montgomery County, Winona
Coordinates
33.494, -89.616 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous streets and roads were flooded in Winona.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When
May 2, 8:05 PM CST
Where
Montgomery County, Duck Hill
Property damage
$10,000
Coordinates
33.630, -89.720

Several trees were blown down on to homes and cars.

Hail, Montgomery

When
May 2, 8:15 PM CST
Where
Montgomery County, Winona
Measured
2 in hail
Property damage
$50,000
Coordinates
33.480, -89.730

Several windows were broken out of buildings and automobiles. Numerous automobiles were damaged.

Tornado, Leflore

When
May 2, 8:25 PM CST
Where
Leflore County, Schlater
Rating
F0
Path length
1 mi
Path width
40 yd
Coordinates
33.650, -90.350

This tornado was sighted by a trained spotter. It touched down briefly in an open field and then dissipated. It caused no damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oktibbeha

When
May 2, 8:50 PM CST
Where
Oktibbeha County, Starkville
Property damage
$5,000
Coordinates
33.470, -88.830

Trees were blown down throughout the city of Starkville.

Flash Flood, Oktibbeha

When
May 2, 9:00 PM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where
Oktibbeha County, Starkville
Property damage
$10,000
Coordinates
33.425, -88.879 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Many roads and streets were flooded throughout the county.

Hail, Webster

When
May 2, 9:00 PM CST
Where
Webster County, Clarkson
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
33.630, -89.150

Hail, Bolivar

When
May 2, 9:30 PM CST
Where
Bolivar County, Shaw
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
33.600, -90.820

Flash Flood, Webster

When
May 2, 10:00 PM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where
Webster County, Eupora
Coordinates
33.613, -89.285 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Many streets were flooded and water came very close to getting into some residences..

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When
May 2, 10:55 PM CST
Where
Carroll County, 5 mi NE of Carrollton
Property damage
$2,000
Coordinates
33.550, -89.850

Several trees were blown down along Interstate 55.

Flash Flood, Grenada

When
May 2, 11:00 PM CST to 11:30 PM CST
Where
Grenada County, Grenada
Coordinates
33.770, -89.802 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous streets were flooded across the city of Grenada.

Hail, Hinds

When
May 2, 11:15 PM CST
Where
Hinds County, Jackson
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
32.330, -90.170

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When
May 3, 12:15 AM CST
Where
Warren County, Oak Ridge
Property damage
$1,000
Coordinates
32.480, -90.700

Several trees were blown down.

Hail, Madison

When
May 3, 12:30 AM CST
Where
Madison County, Flora
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
32.550, -90.320

Thunderstorm Wind, Hinds

When
May 3, 12:40 AM CST
Where
Hinds County, Bolton
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
32.350, -90.470

Thunderstorm Wind, Rankin

When
May 3, 1:15 AM CST
Where
Rankin County, Florence
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage
$500
Coordinates
32.150, -90.130

Several limbs were blown out of trees..

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When
May 3, 1:35 AM CST
Where
Scott County, 3 mi E of Ludlow
Property damage
$2,000
Coordinates
32.570, -89.670

Several trees were blown down.

Hail, Leake

When
May 3, 1:35 AM CST
Where
Leake County, Walnut Grove
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
32.580, -89.470

Thunderstorm Wind, Kemper

When
May 3, 1:50 AM CST
Where
Kemper County, Porterville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage
$2,000
Coordinates
32.680, -88.470

Sixty mile an hour winds blew numerous large branches and limbs out of trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clarke

When
May 3, 3:40 AM CST to 4:40 AM CST
Where
Clarke County, Enterprise
Property damage
$3,000
Coordinates
32.180, -88.820

Numerous trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lamar

When
May 3, 4:30 AM CST
Where
Lamar County, Sumrall
Property damage
$4,000
Coordinates
31.420, -89.550

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Forrest

When
May 3, 4:35 AM CST
Where
Forrest County, Hattiesburg
Property damage
$1,000
Coordinates
31.320, -89.320

Several trees were blown down.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado
A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Mississippi in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Mississippi, 1997Warnings in Mississippi, May 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5605388, 5605389, 5605391, 5605390, 5603730, 5605392, 5605517, 5605393, 5605394, 5605510, 5605511, 5605642, 5605395, 5605396, 5605503, 5605641, 5605504, 5605505, 5603731, 5605508, 5605646, 5605509, 5605628, 5605506, 5605639, 5605640, 5605507, 5605512, 5605523, 5605513, 5605638, 5605514, 5605636, 5605647, 5605515, 5605653, 5605518, 5605649, 5605651, 5605652, and more.