Mississippi, 2002

Tropical Storm and Flash Flooding in Mississippi, September 26, 2002

September 26, 2002 · NWS JAN · 41 events in 27 counties and zones

21 flash flood, 19 tropical storm, 1 thunderstorm wind, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 40 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
$594,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
41

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.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Sep 25, 8:00 PM CST, 6 hours earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 25, 8:00 PM CST, 6 hours before
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The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

21 flash flood, 19 tropical storm, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Tropical Storm, Clarke

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Clarke forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.041, -88.689 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm Isidore moved onshore the Louisiana coast early in the morning of September 26. The weakening storm then moved northeast across eastern Mississippi during the day. The heavy rainfall associated with the storm resulted in significant river and flash flooding across much of Mississippi. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals between 5 and 10 inches were common over much of Mississippi, especially in the southern part of the state, where 24-hour amounts exceeded 9 inches near Hattiesburg. Gradient wind gusts between 35 and 45 miles per hour combined with the saturated ground to lead to numerous downded trees and powerlines over the state. Most of the damage was seen along and east of the Natchez Trace, near the path of the storm's diffuse center. One indirect fatality was reported just east of the Kalem community in Scott County. Here, a falling tree struck a truck driven by a 31 year-old male. Damage from Isidore was an estimated $500,000.

Tropical Storm, Copiah

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Copiah forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
31.869, -90.449 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm Isidore moved onshore the Louisiana coast early in the morning of September 26. The weakening storm then moved northeast across eastern Mississippi during the day. The heavy rainfall associated with the storm resulted in significant river and flash flooding across much of Mississippi. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals between 5 and 10 inches were common over much of Mississippi, especially in the southern part of the state, where twenty-four hour amounts exceeded 9 inches near Hattiesburg. Gradient wind gusts between 35 and 45 miles per hour combined with the saturated ground to lead to numerous downed trees and powerlines over the state. Most of the damage was seen along and east of the Natchez Trace, near the path of the storm's diffuse center. One indirect fatality was reported just east of the Kalem community in Scott County. Here, a falling tree struck a truck driven by a 31 year-old male. damage from Isidore was an estimated $500,000.

Tropical Storm, Forrest

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Forrest forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
31.189, -89.258 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Franklin

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Franklin forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
31.477, -90.898 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Hinds

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Hinds forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.267, -90.443 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Jasper

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Jasper forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.019, -89.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Jones

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Jones forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
31.623, -89.169 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Holmes

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Holmes forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
33.124, -90.092 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm Isidore moved onshore along the Louisiana coast early in the morning of September 26. The weakening storm then moved northeast across eastern Mississippi during the day. The heavy rainfall associated with the storm resulted in significant river and flash flooding across much of Mississippi. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals between 5 and 10 inches were common over much of Mississippi, esepecially in the southern part of the state, where twenty-four hour amounts exceeded 9 inches near Hattiesburg. Gradient wind gusts between 35 and 45 miles per hour combined with the saturated ground to lead to numerous downed trees and powerlines over the state. Most of the damage was seen along and east of the Natchez Trace, near the path of the storm's diffuse center. One indirect fatality was reported just east of the Kalem community in Scott County. Here, a falling tree struck a truck driven by a 31 year-old male. Damage from Isidore was an estimated $500,000.

Tropical Storm, Lamar

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Lamar forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
31.206, -89.509 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Lauderdale

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Lauderdale forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.404, -88.662 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Leake

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Leake forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.754, -89.524 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Lincoln

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Lincoln forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
31.532, -90.454 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Madison

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Madison forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.635, -90.034 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Marion

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Marion forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
31.231, -89.822 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Neshoba

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Neshoba forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.754, -89.118 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Scott

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Scott forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.406, -89.538 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Simpson

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Simpson forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
31.913, -89.919 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Warren

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Warren forecast zone
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.357, -90.852 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm, Yazoo

When
September 26, 2:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Yazoo forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.780, -90.396 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm Isidore moved onshore along the Louisiana coast early in the morning of September 26. The weakening storm then moved northeast across eastern Mississippi during the day. The heavy rainfall associated with the storm resulted in significant river and flash flooding across much of Mississippi. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals between 5 and 10 inches were common over much of Mississippi, especially in the southern part of the state, where twenty-four amounts exceeded 9 inches near Hattiesburg. Gradient wind gusts between 35 and 45 miles per hour combined with the saturated ground to lead to numerous downed trees and powerlines over the state. Most of the damage was seen along and east of the Natchez Trace, near the path of the storm's diffuse center. One indirect fatality was reported just east of the Kalem community in Scott County. Here, a falling tree struck a truck driven by a 31 year-old male. Damage from Isidore was an estimated $500,000.

Flash Flood, Marion

When
September 26, 2:30 AM CST to 5:00 AM CST
Where
Marion County, Columbia
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.231, -89.822 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy rainfall resulted in numerous streets flooded across the city.

Flash Flood, Lamar

When
September 26, 4:00 AM CST to 5:00 AM CST
Where
Lamar County, Countywide
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.206, -89.509 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Six homes around the county had minor flooding.

Flash Flood, Forrest

When
September 26, 5:30 AM CST to 5:40 AM CST
Where
Forrest County, Petal
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.189, -89.258 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy rainfall resulted in three feet of water across a roadway in Petal as well as numerous streets flooded in Hattiesburg. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals were more than 9 inches in Hattiesburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Forrest

When
September 26, 5:30 AM CST
Where
Forrest County, Countywide
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.217, -89.267

Severe thunderstorm winds blew down several trees across the county.

Flash Flood, Jones

When
September 26, 7:00 AM CST to 7:15 AM CST
Where
Jones County, Countywide
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.623, -89.169 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several roads in the county were flooded due to heavy rainfall.

Flash Flood, Smith

When
September 26, 7:00 AM CST to 7:15 AM CST
Where
Smith County, Countywide
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.018, -89.507 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Minor flooding was reported on several roads throughout the county.

Flash Flood, Jones

When
September 26, 8:00 AM CST to 8:15 AM CST
Where
Jones County, Laurel
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.623, -89.169 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several roads in the city were flooded, with some road closures.

Flash Flood, Hinds

When
September 26, 8:00 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST
Where
Hinds County, Jackson
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.267, -90.443 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous streets and roads were flooded in the city.

Flash Flood, Rankin

When
September 26, 8:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where
Rankin County, Countywide
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
32.264, -89.946 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy rainfall over the county resulted in the flooding of numerous roads. Street flooding, causing vehicles to stall, was reported on US Highway 80 and on Luckney Road, both near Brandon. Water was also reported over the road on Old Brandon and Old Fannin Roads in Flowood.

Flash Flood, Madison

When
September 26, 8:00 AM CST to 10:30 AM CST
Where
Madison County, Countywide
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.635, -90.034 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous roads were flooded in the county.

Flash Flood, Scott

When
September 26, 8:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where
Scott County, Countywide
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.406, -89.538 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy rainfall washed out a few roads and bridges in the county.

Flash Flood, Copiah

When
September 26, 8:15 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where
Copiah County, Countywide
Property damage
$13,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.869, -90.449 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy rainfall across the county resulted in the flooding of numerous roads across the county. High water also resulted in minor damage to the Emergency Management office.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 26, 8:30 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where
Franklin County, Countywide
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.477, -90.898 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Rising water approached many homes across the county.

Flash Flood, Lincoln

When
September 26, 8:30 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where
Lincoln County, Countywide
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.532, -90.454 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous roads were flooded across the county, with several road closures also seen.

Flash Flood, Lamar

When
September 26, 8:33 AM CST to 9:00 AM CST
Where
Lamar County, 10 mi NE of Oak Grove
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.206, -89.509 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Six homes were flooded due to heavy rainfall.

Flash Flood, Newton

When
September 26, 9:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where
Newton County, Countywide
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.400, -89.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy rainfall resulted in the flooding of several roads within the county. Flooding also washed out a bridge in the county.

Flash Flood, Warren

When
September 26, 9:15 AM CST to 12:00 PM CST
Where
Warren County, Vicksburg
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.357, -90.852 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash flooding resulted in several road closures in the city. Some roads were also washed out.

Flash Flood, Noxubee

When
September 26, 9:27 AM CST to 9:45 AM CST
Where
Noxubee County, Shuqualak
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
UNKNOWN
Coordinates
33.110, -88.570 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Street flooding in the city threatened several area homes.

Flash Flood, Humphreys

When
September 26, 1:00 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Humphreys County, Countywide
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
33.129, -90.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy rainfall resulted in significant street flooding across the county. Some homes were also threatened by high water.

Flash Flood, Leflore

When
September 26, 1:00 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Leflore County, Countywide
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
33.551, -90.301 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several roads were closed in the county due to street flooding.

Flash Flood, Sunflower

When
September 26, 2:30 PM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where
Sunflower County, Countywide
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
33.602, -90.589 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Considerable street flooding across the county resulted many road closures. The intersection of St. Ann Road and Swamp Road was impassible.

Flash Flood, Grenada

When
September 26, 3:30 PM CST to 4:45 PM CST
Where
Grenada County, Countywide
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
33.770, -89.802 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy rain resulted in considerable street flooding across the county with several roads closed.

What these are

Tropical Storm
A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph).
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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Mississippi in 2002Every state in 2002This day in weather historyWarnings in Mississippi, September 2002The 2002 hurricane season

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5315551, 5315552, 5315553, 5315554, 5315555, 5315556, 5315557, 5315627, 5315628, 5315629, 5315630, 5315631, 5315632, 5315633, 5315634, 5315635, 5315636, 5315637, 5315638, 5315639, 5315640, 5315641, 5320079, 5315694, 5315695, 5315696, 5315697, 5315698, 5315699, 5315700, 5315701, 5315702, 5315703, 5315704, 5315705, 5315706, 5315707, 5315708, 5315709, 5315710, and more.