Tornadoes and Hail in Mississippi, February 12, 2008

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Mississippi, February 12, 2008
Start: 2008-02-12T11:50
End: 2008-02-12T15:06
Location: Mississippi

February 12, 2008 · NWS JAN · 88 events in 30 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: $8.0 million
Crop damage: $788,000
Events: 88

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 happened

The episode as NWS JAN wrote it up.

A potent storm system dropped out of the Southern Plains on February 12th and pushed a squall line of thunderstorms through the region. This squall line produced widespread wind damage across portions of northeast Louisiana as well as central and southern Mississippi. The line of storms was very efficient in terms of producing severe wind gusts, many of which were between 75 and 90 mph. Thousands of trees were damaged with many falling on homes and taking down power lines. Five brief tornadoes also occurred with this line of storms.

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 Feb 12, 11:15 AM CST, 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 12, 11:15 AM CST, 35 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
1115 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

.DISCUSSION...

UPDATE: THE SQUALL LINE ALONG AND SOUTH OF I-20 IS INTENSIFYING
FURTHER WITH DAMAGING WINDS AND A FEW TORNADOES BECOMING MORE
LIKELY AS LOW LEVEL MOISTURE INCREASES. THE 60 DEG F ISODROSOTHERM
HAS REACHED JUST NORTH OF MCB NOW AND EXPECT LOWER 60S DEWPOINTS TO
MOVE WELL INTO THE FORECAST AREA AHEAD OF THE APPROACHING LINE.
FARTHER NORTH...THE CONVECTIVE COLD POOL HAS BEEN DOMINANT AND THE
RISK FOR SFC-BASED TSTM ACTIVITY IS MUCH LESS...BUT ANY DEEP
CONVECTIVE CELLS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE LARGE HAIL OVER
THE ENTIRE AREA...ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF HWY 82. SEE AVIATION
DISCUSSION BELOW FOR CHANGES TO TAFS. /EC/

SHORT TERM...A POTENT ATMOSPHERIC DISTURBANCE WILL COME AT THE
REGION FROM THE NORTHWEST TODAY...PUSHING A STRONG COLD FRONT INTO
THE ARKLAMISS. THE JUXTAPOSITION OF THESE FEATURES WILL CREATE
MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF LIFT...RESULTING IN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
SWEEPING ACROSS THE REGION FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST FROM MID
MORNING THROUGH EARLY EVENING. STORMS ARE NOW EXPANDING ALONG THE
COLD FRONT THIS MORNING OFF TO OUR WEST...AND ARE EXPECTED TO
CONTINUE TO INCREASE AS THE DAY GOES ON AND THE SYSTEM PLOWS INTO AN
AREA OF BETTER AVAILABLE MOISTURE.

STILL CONCERNED WITH A RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER AS THIS ACTIVITY
PIVOTS THROUGH THE AREA. LATEST THINKING IS THAT PREFRONTAL SHOWERS
WILL BE HELD MOSTLY IN CHECK IN OUR AREA THROUGH LATE MORNING WITH
FRONTAL ACTIVITY ONLY GETTING INTO NORTHWEST ZONES BY THAT TIME.
THAT WILL ALLOW MANY AREAS TO WARM UP INTO THE UPPER 60S AND LOWER
70S (AND PERHAPS EVEN WARMER IF A BIT OF SUN CAN SNEAK THROUGH THE
CLOUDS). LOW LEVEL MOISTURE IS NOT VERY IMPRESSIVE RIGHT NOW...BUT
DEWPOINTS RANGING FROM THE UPPER 50S TO LOWER 60S SHOULD SLIDE NORTH
INTO AREAS ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE I-20 CORRIDOR BY MIDDAY TO EARLY
AFTERNOON. COMBINED WITH STEEP ATMOSPHERIC LAPSE RATES (VERTICAL
TOTALS 27-29)...THIS WILL YIELD NON-NEGLIGIBLE INSTABILITY IN
SOUTHERN ZONES. A RANGE OF HIGH RESOLUTION MODELS SUGGESTS THAT
BANDS OF CONVECTION WILL FORM IN THE VICINITY OF SOUTHWEST ZONES
AROUND MIDDAY AS THE FRONT NEARS THIS ZONE OF INSTABILITY.
THEREAFTER...MOST OF THESE SAME MODELS SUGGEST A VIGOROUS LINE OF
THUNDERSTORMS TAKING SHAPE AND PUSHING EAST THROUGH THE REST OF THE
REGION THROUGH EARLY EVENING (OR PERHAPS FASTER). ALTHOUGH ALL AREAS
WILL HAVE SOME RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER WITH THIS ACTIVITY...THE BULK
OF THE THREAT WILL EXIST FOR LOCATIONS ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE
INTERSTATE TWENTY CORRIDOR. ALL MODES OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE
POSSIBLE...ALTHOUGH HAIL AND HIGH WINDS WILL BE THE PRIMARY
CONCERNS. GIVEN DECENT RAINFALL OF LATE...WE WILL ALSO HAVE TO WATCH
RAINFALL RATES A BIT LATER TODAY AS TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS COULD GIVE
MANY A QUICK INCH (OR TWO?).

TEMPERATURES WILL DROP OFF DRAMATICALLY BEHIND THIS FRONT IN THE
NORTHWEST DELTA TODAY. SOME AREAS TO THE NORTHWEST OF OUR CWA WILL
BE DEALING WITH ICING IN THE HEART OF THE CHILLY AIRMASS...BUT ALL
OF THE ARKLAMISS SHOULD BE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO AVOID THIS.

EXPECT SHOWERS AND STORMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT TO CLEAR OUT OF
EASTERN ZONES IN THE MID EVENING...ALTHOUGH LOW CLOUDS WILL HOLD IN
LONGER (ESPECIALLY EAST WHERE SOME DRIZZLE COULD PERSIST INTO THE
EARLY MORNING). NORTHWEST WINDS USHERING IN COLDER TEMPERATURES WILL
BE BRISK THIS EVENING AND INTO THE EARLY MORNING. LATER SHIFTS MAY
NEED TO ISSUE A LAKE WIND ADVISORY TO COVER THIS...BUT THE SITUATION
APPEARS MARGINAL ENOUGH AT PRESENT TO LET RIDE CONSIDERING TODAYS
STORMS. /BB/

WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...THE COLD FRONT AND RAIN SHOULD BE
WELL EAST OF THE AREA WEDNESDAY MORNING BUT THE UPPER TROUGH AXIS
WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS THE AREA DURING THE DAY WHILE SURFACE HIGH
PRESSURE MOVES OVER THE AREA FROM THE SOUTHERN PLAINS. THIS WILL
RESULT DEEP NORTHWEST FLOW AND CAA THAT WILL MAKE FOR A RATHER
CHILLY DAY. THE 850MB AND 925MB TEMPERATURES SHOULD RANGE FROM -1C
IN THE NORTHEAST TO 1C IN THE SOUTHWEST. THAT TRANSLATES
CLIMATOLOGICALLY TO HIGHS AROUND 50F. MAV GUIDANCE WHICH WAS
GENERALLY ACCEPTED CONCURRED AND RANGED FROM UPPER 40S NE TO LOWER
50S SOUTH. THE SURFACE RIDGE WILL BE SHIFTING EAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT
BUT STILL OVER MOST OF THE CWFA. CLEAR SKIES AND LIGHT WINDS ALONG
WITH OUR COLD AND DRY AIRMASS WILL SEND THURSDAY MORNING LOWS BACK
INTO THE 20S AT MOST SITES. THAT WILL BE NEARLY TEN DEGREES BELOW
NORMAL. THURSDAY MORNING STILL LOOKS TO BE THE COLDEST MORNING OF
THE FORECAST PERIOD. /22/

LONG TERM...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...THE GFS HAS COME INTO BETTER
AGREEMENT INITIALLY WITH THE ECMWFS SLOWER PROGRESSION OF THE
CLOSED LOW THAT WILL AFFECT OUR REGION DURING THE PERIOD BUT
DIVERGES SIGNIFICANTLY BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND. THIS WILL RESULT IN
A WET WEATHER PATTERN FROM FRIDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND FOLLOWED BY
COOLER AND DRIER WEATHER FOR THE START OF NEXT WEEK. AS THE SURFACE
HIGH SHIFTS EAST OF OUR REGION THURSDAY...RETURN FLOW WILL RESULT IN
WARMER TEMPERATURES ALONG WITH A GRADUAL INCREASE IN MOISTURE GOING
INTO FRIDAY. THE GFS AND ECMWF ARE SIMILAR IN DEVELOPING AN UPPER
LEVEL CLOSED LOW OVER THE FOUR CORNERS REGION THURSDAY THAT WILL
DROP SOUTHEAST TO JUST WEST OF THE TEXAS BIG BEND BY SATURDAY
MORNING. WHILE THIS OCCURS A POTENT NORTHERN STREAM SHORTWAVE AND
ASSOCIATED SURFACE LOW WILL SEND A COLD FRONT TOWARD OUR REGION.
THIS COLD FRONT IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO OUR CWFA FRIDAY AND STALL.
DISTURBANCES ROUNDING THE BASE OF THE CLOSED LOW WILL AID CONVECTION
ALONG THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY. THE GFS AND ECMWF
THEN DIVERGE ON THE MOVEMENT OF THE CLOSED LOW WITH THE GFS BEING
FASTER AND FARTHER NORTH WITH THE LOW BY SUNDAY EVENING. THE GFS
TAKES THE CLOSED LOW EAST FROM THE TEXAS BIG BEND FRIDAY NIGHT
ACROSS TEXAS SATURDAY THEN NORTHEAST OVER ARKANSAS AND INTO THE OHIO
VALLEY BY SUNDAY EVENING. THE ECMWF STILL HAS THE CLOSED LOW OVER
CENTRAL TEXAS COME SUNDAY EVENING. THE REMAINDER OF THE LONG TERM
FORECAST HINGES ON THE TRACK OF THIS CLOSED LOW AND THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE ASSOCIATED SURFACE LOW. AS THE CLOSED LOW LIFTS OUT TO THE
NE...A SURFACE LOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP OVER THE WESTERN GULF AND
TRACK NORTHEAST AS WELL. THE GFS TAKES THE SFC LOW ACROSS OUR CWFA
SUNDAY. MANY OF THE WEATHER PARAMETERS WITH THIS SCENARIO SUGGESTS
SOME POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER OUR AREA. THE ECMWF
TAKES THE CLOSED LOW ACROSS OUR CWFA MONDAY PRECEDED BY THE SFC LOW
MUCH FARTHER SOUTH THAN THE GFS HAS IT. THIS SCENARIO WOULD SUGGEST
SOME POTENTIAL FOR WINTRY MIX IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF OUR AREA
MONDAY. FOR NOW WL CONTINUE MENTION IN HWO OF HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG
TO SEVERE STORM POTENTIAL DURING THE WEEKEND. THE SYSTEM WILL
EVENTUALLY SHIFT EAST OF OUR REGION LEAVING A BROAD AND AMPLIFIED
UPPER TROUGH OVER THE EASTERN HALF OF THE CONUS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
COOLER THAN NORMAL TEMPERATURES FOR US MONDAY AND TUESDAY. /22/

&&

.AVIATION...HAVE SPED TIMING OF CONVECTIVE PRECIP UP SOME FOR
GLH/GWO/JAN TAFS BASED ON LATEST RADAR TRENDS. ALL ELSE IS ON
TRACK... /EC/

PREV DISCUSSION...A STRONG STRONG SYSTEM AND COLD FRONT MOVING INTO
THE REGION WILL BRING SHOWERS AND STORMS TO THE ARKLAMISS LATER
TODAY. ACTIVITY WILL BEGIN ALONG AND WEST OF THE MS RIVER THIS
MORNING...BUT WILL NOT MOVE INTO THE BULK OF MS INTO THIS AFTERNOON.
SOME OF THE STORMS WILL CONTAIN GUSTY WINDS AND MAYBE SOME HAIL.
EXPECT SUB-VFR CONDITIONS TO MAINLY HOLD OFF UNTIL THE ARRIVAL OF
THE RAIN...BUT THEN MVFR (TEMPO IFR) CEILINGS WILL HANG UNTIL
MIDNIGHT OR SO. SOUTH WINDS WILL BE GUSTY TODAY AHEAD OF THE
FRONT...WITH COLD NORTHWEST WINDS BECOMING QUITE GUSTY AFTER THE
FRONTS PASSAGE LATE TODAY. /BB/

&&

.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...NONE.
LA...NONE.
AR...NONE.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 12, 11:20 AM CST, 30 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
1120 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026-MSZ018-019-025>066-072>074-
131115-
ASHLEY-CHICOT-MOREHOUSE-WEST CARROLL-EAST CARROLL-RICHLAND-
MADISON-FRANKLIN-CATAHOULA-TENSAS-CONCORDIA-BOLIVAR-SUNFLOWER-
LEFLORE-GRENADA-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-WEBSTER-CLAY-LOWNDES-CHOCTAW-
OKTIBBEHA-WASHINGTON-HUMPHREYS-HOLMES-ATTALA-WINSTON-NOXUBEE-
ISSAQUENA-SHARKEY-YAZOO-LEAKE-NESHOBA-KEMPER-WARREN-HINDS-RANKIN-
SCOTT-NEWTON-LAUDERDALE-CLAIBORNE-COPIAH-SIMPSON-SMITH-JASPER-
CLARKE-JEFFERSON-ADAMS-LINCOLN-LAWRENCE-JEFFERSON DAVIS-COVINGTON-
JONES-MARION-LAMAR-FORREST-
1120 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT
SEVERE WEATHER AND HEAVY RAIN ARE EXPECTED ACROSS SOUTHERN PORTIONS
OF THE OUTLOOK AREA THIS AFTERNOON.

A SQUALL LINE WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS AREAS SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 20
THIS AFTERNOON. DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL BE
POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE HIGHWAY 84 CORRIDOR
WHERE THE GREATEST INSTABILITY WILL EXIST. FARTHER NORTH...THERE IS
A POTENTIAL FOR LARGE HAIL TO THE SIZE OF PENNIES WITH
THUNDERSTORMS...BUT COOLER AIR NEAR THE SURFACE WILL GREATLY
DIMINISH THE RISK FOR WIND DAMAGE NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE 20
CORRIDOR.

THE RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL END FROM WEST TO EAST AS A
COLD FRONT PUSHES THROUGH...AND END OVER EASTERN MISSISSIPPI BY
EARLY EVENING.

IN ADDITION...RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES COULD OCCUR IN
THE SPAN OF AN HOUR OR TWO AS THUNDERSTORMS MOVE THROUGH TODAY.
ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT EXPECTED TO GENERATE SIGNIFICANT FLASH FLOODING
PROBLEMS...MINOR PONDING OF WATER ISSUES MAY BE ENCOUNTERED...
ESPECIALLY IN LOW LYING AREAS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

A COLD FRONT WILL DROP INTO THE AREA FRIDAY AND STALL ACROSS
CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI. UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCES WILL MOVE ALONG THE
FRONT THROUGH SATURDAY HELPING TO PRODUCE PERIODS OF HEAVY RAINFALL.
BY LATE SATURDAY A STRONG STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP OVER
THE WESTERN GULF OF MEXICO AND MOVE NORTHEAST ACROSS OUR AREA. THIS
MAY RESULT IN STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS OVER PORTIONS OF THE ARKLAMISS
SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PRODUCT ALONG WITH LATER FORECASTS
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION CONCERNING THE HEAVY RAIN AND SEVERE
WEATHER POTENTIAL FOR THE WEEKEND.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OPERATIONS...MAY BE NEEDED LATER TODAY INTO THIS EVENING AND POSSIBLY
AGAIN THIS WEEKEND.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT
WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/JAN. THIS INCLUDES THE GRAPHICAL HAZARDOUS
WEATHER OUTLOOK.

22

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Feb 12, 7:49 AM CST, 4 hours 1 minute before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
749 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

ARZ075-MSZ018-019-025-034-035-121435-
CHICOT AR-BOLIVAR MS-SUNFLOWER MS-LEFLORE MS-WASHINGTON MS-
HUMPHREYS MS-
749 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH 40 TO 50 MPH WINDS MOVING THROUGH THE
DELTA REGION THROUGH 9 AM...

A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 40 TO 50 MPH
WINDS WAS LOCATED FROM 5 MILES WEST OF RULEVILLE TO 3 MILES SOUTH OF
EUDORA AT 749 AM CST...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. THESE STORMS WILL
AFFECT INDIANOLA TO LELAND TO GREENVILLE AND HOLLANDALE AREAS
THROUGH 9 AM CST.

VERY HEAVY RAINS UP TO ONE INCH ALONG WITH FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING ARE ALSO LIKELY WITH THESE STORMS.

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.

PEOPLE IN BOLIVAR...CHICOT...HUMPHREYS...LEFLORE...SUNFLOWER AND
WASHINGTON COUNTIES...INCLUDING THE CITIES OF AVON...BELZONI...
EUDORA...HOLLANDALE...INDIANOLA...ITTA BENA...LELAND...MOORHEAD...
RULEVILLE AND SHAW...SHOULD MONITOR THESE STORMS CLOSELY.

40

Special weather statement, Feb 12, 8:40 AM CST, 3 hours 10 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
840 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

LAZ008-009-015-016-MSZ019-025>027-034>036-040>042-047-121520-
WEST CARROLL LA-EAST CARROLL LA-RICHLAND LA-WARREN MS-SUNFLOWER
MS-GRENADA MS-LEFLORE MS-CARROLL MS-WASHINGTON MS-HOLMES
MS-HUMPHREYS MS-SHARKEY MS-ISSAQUENA MS-YAZOO MS-MADISON LA-
840 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

...A BAND OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH THE DELTA AND
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA WITH UP TO 40 MPH WINDS AND PEA SIZE HAIL...

A BAND OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PEA SIZED HAIL
AND UP TO 40 MPH WINDS WAS LOCATED FROM MONEY MISSISSIPPI TO 6 MILES
WEST OF RAYVILLE LOUISIANA AT 838 AM CST...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

VERY HEAVY RAIN UP TO ONE INCH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING
STRIKES AND TEMPERATURES DROPPING 10 TO 15 DEGREES IN LESS THAN 30
MINUTES ARE LIKELY WITH THESE STORMS. THE STORMS SHOULD REACH A
GRENADA TO TCHULA TO TALLULAH LINE BY 920 AM CST.

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.

PEOPLE IN CARROLL...EAST CARROLL...GRENADA...HOLMES...HUMPHREYS...
ISSAQUENA...LEFLORE...MADISON...RICHLAND...SHARKEY...SUNFLOWER...
WARREN...WASHINGTON...WEST CARROLL AND YAZOO COUNTIES...INCLUDING THE
CITIES OF BELZONI...BLACK HAWK...GREENWOOD...GRENADA...ITTA BENA...
LAKE PROVIDENCE...MOORHEAD...RAYVILLE...REDWOOD...ROLLING FORK...
TALLULAH...THORNTON...TRANSYLVANIA...VALLEY PARK AND YAZOO CITY...
SHOULD MONITOR THESE STORMS CLOSELY.

40

Special weather statement, Feb 12, 9:55 AM CST, 1 hour 55 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
955 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

LAZ016-023>026-MSZ047-053-059-060-121635-
TENSAS LA-CATAHOULA LA-CONCORDIA LA-FRANKLIN LA-JEFFERSON MS-
CLAIBORNE MS-WARREN MS-ADAMS MS-MADISON LA-
955 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

...A LINE OF DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORMS OVER NORTHEAST LOUISIANA WILL
   PUSH TO NEAR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BY 1030 AM...

A LINE OF DEVELOPING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PEA
SIZED HAIL AND UP TO 40 MPH WINDS WAS LOCATED FROM NEAR DELHI TO 5
MILES SOUTH OF ARCHIE AT 955 AM CST...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

VERY HEAVY RAIN UP TO ONE INCH... AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING STRIKES...ARE LIKELY WITH THESE STORMS AS THEY MOVE TO
ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM VICKSBURG TO NATCHEZ BY 1030 AM.

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.

PEOPLE IN ADAMS...CATAHOULA...CLAIBORNE...CONCORDIA...FRANKLIN...
JEFFERSON...MADISON...TENSAS AND WARREN COUNTIES...INCLUDING THE
CITIES OF FERRIDAY...LARTO...MONTEREY...NATCHEZ...VICKSBURG...VIDALIA
AND WINNSBORO...SHOULD MONITOR THESE STORMS CLOSELY.

40

Special weather statement, Feb 12, 10:55 AM CST, 55 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
1055 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

LAZ016-023-025-121725-
TENSAS LA-FRANKLIN LA-MADISON LA-
1055 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CROSSING NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...

A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PEA TO DIME SIZE HAIL AND
40 TO 50 MPH WINDS WAS LOCATED 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF CROWVILLE AT 1055
AM CST...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

VERY HEAVY RAIN ALONG WITH FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM AS IT REACHES SOMERSET BY 1130 AM.

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.

PEOPLE IN FRANKLIN...MADISON AND TENSAS PARISHES...INCLUDING THE CITY
OF WINNSBORO...SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM CLOSELY.

40

Special weather statement, Feb 12, 11:21 AM CST, 29 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
1121 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

LAZ016-025-MSZ047-053-121805-
TENSAS LA-CLAIBORNE MS-WARREN MS-MADISON LA-
1121 AM CST TUE FEB 12 2008

A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS MOVING THROUGH NORTHEAST
LOUISIANA AND WILL BE APPROACHING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AROUND 1130
AM. THE LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PEA TO DIME SIZED
HAIL...40 TO 50 MPH WINDS AND VERY HEAVY RAIN WERE MOVING INTO
TALLULAH. THE LINE WAS MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

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.

PEOPLE IN CLAIBORNE...MADISON...TENSAS AND WARREN COUNTIES...
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF REDWOOD AND VICKSBURG...SHOULD MONITOR THIS
STORM CLOSELY.

7

The radar

The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 145 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:50 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

65 thunderstorm wind, 18 hail, 5 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Adams

When: February 12, 11:50 AM CST
Where: Adams County, 0.62 mi S of (Hez)hardy Fld Natch
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 31.611, -91.300

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: February 12, 11:51 AM CST
Where: Warren County, 0.44 mi ESE of Stout
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 32.297, -90.893

A few trees were blown down on the south side of town. A kennel in this area had some tin torn off the roof as well.

Thunderstorm Wind, Claiborne

When: February 12, 11:55 AM CST
Where: Claiborne County, 0.78 mi NW of Russum
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.877, -91.011

A couple trees were blown down in the Russum Community. One large tree fell on a mobile home destroying it.

Thunderstorm Wind, Claiborne

When: February 12, 11:58 AM CST to 12:10 PM CST
Where: Claiborne County, 0.9 mi S of Port Gibson to 1.78 mi SSE of Hermanville
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $325,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.957, -91.002

Several trees were blown down around Port Gibson with a string of power lines taken down along Rodney Road from a downed tree. A couple units at the Magnolia Apartments were damaged by fallen trees. Numerous other trees were damaged outside of Port Gibson across the county. Off Greenwood Street, a shed was damaged with a portion of the tin roof thrown into some trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: February 12, 12:07 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.44 mi NW of Perth
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.673, -90.932

Several trees and power lines were blown down on Highway 28 and Cross Roads road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hinds

When: February 12, 12:15 PM CST
Where: Hinds County, 3.27 mi SSW of Utica
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.080, -90.650

Several trees and a few power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hinds

When: February 12, 12:25 PM CST to 12:27 PM CST
Where: Hinds County, 0.9 mi SE of Raymond to 1.03 mi S of Mc Raven
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.260, -90.420

Numerous trees and several power lines were blown down from around Raymond to around Clinton. Trees were across area roads with a couple down on some homes.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: February 12, 12:27 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 0.55 mi SSW of Meadville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.463, -90.904

Several trees were blown down along Highway 98 east of Lake Okissah.

Thunderstorm Wind, Copiah

When: February 12, 12:29 PM CST to 12:30 PM CST
Where: Copiah County, 0.91 mi NE of Dentville
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.960, -90.560

Numerous trees were blown down around Dentville with some roof damage to a few homes.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hinds

When: February 12, 12:32 PM CST to 12:35 PM CST
Where: Hinds County, 1.59 mi N of Spring Ridge to 1.72 mi NE of Spring Ridge
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.203, -90.333

Several trees were uprooted off George Road and Davis Road just west of Byram.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: February 12, 12:34 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 0.93 mi WNW of Cedar Hill
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.483, -90.195

Several trees were blown down on Robinson Springs Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Copiah

When: February 12, 12:35 PM CST to 12:40 PM CST
Where: Copiah County, 0.84 mi SSW of Gallman to 0.59 mi E of Gallman
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.918, -90.404

An intense downburst occurred in the Gallman Community as a line of thunderstorms move through Copiah County. Several trees were blown down and part of a mobile home was heavily damaged. The most significant damage occurred to the Advanced Auto Warehouse. Here, a large portion of the roof was torn off and nearly 20 vehicles were damaged. Winds were estimated around 90 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: February 12, 12:39 PM CST to 12:44 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 0.55 mi W of Ridgeland to 0.81 mi E of Madison Campbell Arp
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.429, -90.139

Several trees and a few power lines were blown down on the Old Natchez Trace just north of the Parkway and others off Rice Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hinds

When: February 12, 12:41 PM CST
Where: Hinds County, 0.62 mi NW of Jackson Hawkins Fld
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 32.337, -90.226

Measured wind gust at Hawkins Field in West Jackson.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When: February 12, 12:42 PM CST to 12:57 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County, 3.28 mi WNW of Brookhaven to 1.77 mi ESE of Fair Oaks Spgs
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.596, -90.503

A line of thunderstorms downed numerous trees across the northern half of Lincoln county. Several roads, Weeks Lane, Harmony Lane, Auburn Drive, and Calvary Drive were blocked by downed trees. Near mile marker 47, just north of Brookhaven, the northbound lane of Interstate 55 was blocked by a few downed trees. Numerous power outages also occurred across the county.

Tornado, Rankin

When: February 12, 12:45 PM CST to 12:48 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 1.4 mi WSW of Flowood to 2.21 mi ESE of Flowood
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.23 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.272, -90.142

This tornado touched down near Trustmark Park and traveled east-southeast for almost 3.5 miles. Near the ballpark, several trees were snapped and construction material was blown some distance. Between the ballpark and Pearson Road, many trees were snapped and shingle damage occurred to several homes. The tornado then crossed Pearson Road, causing roof damage to several businesses and snapping trees and large limbs. The tornado then moved across Pine Park, Patton Place, and McLaurin Heights subdivisions. A number of homes in those areas suffered significant loss of roofing material, several outbuildings were heavily damaged or destroyed, and a number of large trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado then crossed Interstate 20, continuing to snap or uproot a number of trees, before dissipating just southeast of the highway. Maximum winds were around 95 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rankin

When: February 12, 12:47 PM CST to 12:50 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 0.68 mi WSW of Montery to 1.92 mi NNE of Montery
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $70,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 32.178, -90.091

Numerous trees and large limbs were blown down along with minor roof damage along Highway 469 in the Monterey Community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Copiah

When: February 12, 12:48 PM CST
Where: Copiah County, 3.51 mi ENE of Shady Grove
Measured: 75 kt (86 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 31.882, -90.312

A part of a roof was taken off a barn along Highway 28, just east of Hazlehurst.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rankin

When: February 12, 12:49 PM CST to 1:01 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 1.79 mi SE of Flowood to 1.81 mi SW of Rankin
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.263, -90.097

A very intense downburst occurred across a good portion of central Rankin County, generally covering areas from the east side of Pearl through the south side of Brandon to areas just southeast of Brandon. This downburst occurred just after the EF1 tornado moved through the heart of Pearl. The wind damage began on the southeast portion of Pearl, generally between Interstate 20, Highway 475 and Highway 468. Numerous trees were blown down and a large portion of a wooden fence was blown down at an auto salvage. The swath of wind damage continued to the east toward the western side of Brandon where Interstate 20 intersects with Crossgates Blvd. Here, significant wind damage occurred as numerous trees were uprooted and snapped, dozens of homes were suffered shingle damage off Greenfield Road. The Honda Auto Dealer lost several signs and had a few dozen cars damaged. Several power poles were taken down at this location as well. An apartment complex suffered substantial shingle damage to nearly all units. Winds were the most intense in this area and were estimated around 100 mph. The damaging winds continued across the southern half of Brandon where several hundred trees were uprooted or snapped. Several power lines were taken down by fallen trees along with about 6 homes damaged from downed trees. Nearly all the damage occurred between Interstate 20 and the new Highway 18.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rankin

When: February 12, 12:51 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 2.52 mi S of Luckney
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.314, -90.076

Measured wind gust by the tower at Jackson Evers Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rankin

When: February 12, 12:52 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 1.97 mi WNW of Rice Hill
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 32.283, -90.060

A few trees were snapped and uprooted along Highway 80, just east of the Airport Road intersection.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rankin

When: February 12, 12:52 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 2.82 mi E of Luckney
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 32.353, -90.022

The new Razzle Dazzle Carwash, which was under construction, was destroyed along Lakeland Drive near the Wal-Mart. Several trees were also uprooted in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rankin

When: February 12, 12:54 PM CST to 12:56 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 2.1 mi NE of Value to 2.51 mi N of Value
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 32.301, -89.975

Several trees and large limbs were blown down in and around Cornerstone subdivision and off Grants Ferry Road. Some shingles were blown off a few homes along with several fences blown down or damaged by fallen trees in the neighborhood.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rankin

When: February 12, 12:59 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 0.25 mi SSW of Rankin
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.277, -89.922

Several trees were blown down along Interstate 20 with a few blocking all lanes.

Hail, Winston

When: February 12, 1:04 PM CST to 1:20 PM CST
Where: Winston County, 4.69 mi W of Fearns Spgs to 7 mi NNE of Fearns Spgs
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.030, -88.930

A swath of penny to nickel sized hail fell across east central Winston County. The storm producing the severe hail continued into western Noxubee County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rankin

When: February 12, 1:05 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 0.91 mi SSE of Gulde
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.287, -89.846

Numerous trees were blown down across the westbound lanes of Interstate 20, just southwest of Pelahatchie.

Thunderstorm Wind, Simpson

When: February 12, 1:06 PM CST
Where: Simpson County, 2.93 mi E of Union
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.880, -90.030

A few power lines were blown down with power outages lasting through the night.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: February 12, 1:07 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 3.5 mi W of Farmhaven
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $12,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.679, -89.810

A few power lines were blown down on John Day Road.

Tornado, Rankin

When: February 12, 1:07 PM CST to 1:10 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 1.86 mi W of Gulde to 1.1 mi SE of Gulde
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.67 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.295, -89.881

This tornado occurred in the Gulde Community between Brandon and Pelahatchie. The tornado started along Highway 80 and tracked east southeast. The most significant damage occurred near the intersection of Gulde-Shilo and Gulde Roads. Here, two barns were destroyed and another heavily damaged. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted along the path which dissipated just after it crossed Interstate 20. Maximum winds were estimated around 95 mph.

Hail, Rankin

When: February 12, 1:10 PM CST to 1:11 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 2 mi S of Star
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 32.071, -90.050

Hail, Lincoln

When: February 12, 1:11 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County, Bogue Chitto
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.430, -90.450

Thunderstorm Wind, Simpson

When: February 12, 1:14 PM CST to 1:15 PM CST
Where: Simpson County, 1.6 mi SSW of Mendenhall
Measured: 75 kt (86 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.929, -89.892

An intense downburst uprooted and snapped over 3 dozen trees just southwest from Mendenhall.

Hail, Lamar

When: February 12, 1:16 PM CST to 1:18 PM CST
Where: Lamar County, 5.08 mi SSE of Baxterville to 4.24 mi W of Lumbertn Bass Mem Ar
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.011, -89.570

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: February 12, 1:16 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.07 mi N of New Hebron
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.745, -89.977

A large tree fell on a car just to the north of New Hebron, along Highway 43.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: February 12, 1:17 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 3.28 mi SSW of Silver Creek
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.554, -90.014

A couple of trees were blown down off Highway 43. One large tree fell on a car, just east of Monticello.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: February 12, 1:17 PM CST to 1:19 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 2.09 mi NW of Morton to 1.76 mi N of Morton
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.372, -89.694

An intense downburst occurred just northwest of Morton, along Mt. Carmel and Monroe Roads as well as Highway 481. Three homes suffered significant roof damage, one mobile home had the windows blown out, two other homes suffered minor roof damage and several trees were snapped.

Hail, Noxubee

When: February 12, 1:19 PM CST to 1:55 PM CST
Where: Noxubee County, 4.46 mi NW of Mashulaville to 3.34 mi NNE of Brooksville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.117, -88.814

A swath of penny to nickel sized hail fell across the western and northwest portion of Noxubee County. This hail occurred from a small supercell thunderstorm which tracked northeast across eastern Mississippi.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rankin

When: February 12, 1:21 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 0.83 mi SE of Puckett
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.072, -89.769

Tin was blown across a field and a few trees were blown down along with several large limbs.

Hail, Jasper

When: February 12, 1:24 PM CST to 1:37 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, 1.96 mi WSW of Louin to 4 mi NE of Montrose
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.070, -89.261

Thunderstorm Wind, Simpson

When: February 12, 1:24 PM CST to 1:27 PM CST
Where: Simpson County, 4.73 mi N of Martinville to 3.03 mi N of Martinville
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.038, -89.746

Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted across the northeast portion of Simpson County along Highway 541. Several trees were across Highway 541 and had taken down a few power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Smith

When: February 12, 1:25 PM CST to 1:59 PM CST
Where: Smith County, 2.11 mi NNW of Gunn to 3.3 mi E of Pineville
Measured: 90 kt (104 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Crop damage: $600,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.098, -89.694

An intense and long lived downburst occurred across all of northern Smith County. The majority of the damage occurred between Highway 18, Polkville, Burns and Pineville. A few hundred trees were uprooted and snapped with nearly two dozen across roads. Several power lines were also taken down by trees. Some of the most intense damage occurred between Burns and Raleigh where numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. Another area of enhanced damage was across the eastern portion of the county along Bailey Road and Highway 501. Most of the wind gusts associated with the large swath of damage was around 80 to 90 mph. However, the areas of enhanced damage likely had maximum wind gusts around 100 mph.

Hail, Leake

When: February 12, 1:28 PM CST
Where: Leake County, 0.69 mi N of Carthage
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.740, -89.530

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson Davis

When: February 12, 1:29 PM CST to 1:30 PM CST
Where: Jefferson Davis County, 0.59 mi E of Prentiss
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.600, -89.870

Several trees and a few power lines were blown down in town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Simpson

When: February 12, 1:33 PM CST
Where: Simpson County, 1.9 mi ESE of Magee
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.864, -89.699

Siding was blown off a mobile home near Magee.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: February 12, 1:37 PM CST to 1:38 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 3.2 mi SSE of Harperville to 2.42 mi S of Steel
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $65,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.436, -89.462

An intense downburst occurred along Harrison Road and heavily damaged one home and downed several trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leake

When: February 12, 1:40 PM CST to 1:43 PM CST
Where: Leake County, 1.28 mi E of Sunrise to 1.65 mi NNW of Edinburg
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.768, -89.408

A few trees were blown down across the eastern portion of the county off Battle Bluff Road, Highway 16 and Mars Hill Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Smith

When: February 12, 1:41 PM CST to 1:42 PM CST
Where: Smith County, 0.62 mi N of Raleigh to 0.59 mi E of Raleigh
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.039, -89.531

A few trees were blown down within the city.

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington

When: February 12, 1:41 PM CST to 2:06 PM CST
Where: Covington County, 4.58 mi SW of Mt Olive to 2.79 mi SSW of Hot Coffee
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $70,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.700, -89.721

Scattered trees were blown down across the county as a line of storms move east across the area. Several power lines were also taken down by the downed trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson Davis

When: February 12, 1:43 PM CST
Where: Jefferson Davis County, Bassfield
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.500, -89.750

Several trees and a few power lines were blown down around Bassfield.

Thunderstorm Wind, Smith

When: February 12, 1:44 PM CST
Where: Smith County, 2.82 mi S of Sandpoint
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.039, -89.464

Just to the south of the brief tornado path, straight line winds tore some singles from a home and blew the skirting out from a mobile home. Several large limbs were also taken down in the area.

Tornado, Smith

When: February 12, 1:45 PM CST to 1:46 PM CST
Where: Smith County, 2.63 mi SSE of Sandpoint to 2.4 mi SSE of Sandpoint
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.7 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.043, -89.459

This tornado briefly touched down near the intersection of county road 581 and 113. Several trees were snapped and uprooted along the path. Some shingles were removed from the Double Church building. Maximum winds were estimated around 80 mph.

Hail, Simpson

When: February 12, 1:45 PM CST
Where: Simpson County, Magee
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.870, -89.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Jones

When: February 12, 1:46 PM CST
Where: Jones County, 4.12 mi E of Moselle
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 31.500, -89.210

A few power lines were blown down east of Moselle.

Hail, Jasper

When: February 12, 1:49 PM CST to 1:51 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, 0.54 mi SW of Garlandville to 0.31 mi NE of Garlandville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.214, -89.126

Hail, Newton

When: February 12, 1:50 PM CST to 2:19 PM CST
Where: Newton County, 3.74 mi SSE of Calhoun to 3.83 mi NNE of Chunky
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.224, -89.117

A swath of dime to penny sized hail fell across the southeast portion of Newton County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Noxubee

When: February 12, 1:50 PM CST
Where: Noxubee County, 2.22 mi SW of Brooksville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.210, -88.610

A few trees were blown down across Greenfield Road.

Hail, Jefferson Davis

When: February 12, 1:50 PM CST to 1:52 PM CST
Where: Jefferson Davis County, 0.59 mi E of Bassfield
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.500, -89.740

Thunderstorm Wind, Newton

When: February 12, 1:50 PM CST to 1:54 PM CST
Where: Newton County, 0.62 mi ENE of Conehatta to 0.8 mi WNW of Prospect
Measured: 75 kt (86 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.453, -89.270

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across western Newton County. Numerous power outages in Conehatta and north towards Sebastopol. Additionally, several sheds, outbuildings, and chicken houses were damaged.

Tornado, Covington

When: February 12, 1:53 PM CST to 1:54 PM CST
Where: Covington County, 1.77 mi ESE of Arbo to 1.55 mi SSW of Smith
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.48 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.720, -89.602

This brief tornado touched down just southeast of Mt. Olive and tracked for about a mile to the northeast. Multiple large pine trees were snapped or uprooted and the roof of a few chicken houses were peeled off. Maximum winds were around 105 mph.

Hail, Winston

When: February 12, 1:54 PM CST to 2:11 PM CST
Where: Winston County, 4 mi WSW of Noxapater to 6 mi NE of Noxapater
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 32.978, -89.114

A swath of dime to penny size hail fell across south central Winston County.

Hail, Jones

When: February 12, 1:57 PM CST to 2:07 PM CST
Where: Jones County, 4 mi SSW of Tuckers Crossing to 1 mi SE of Tuckers Crossing
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 31.567, -89.106

Hail, Marion

When: February 12, 1:57 PM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Marion County, 1.39 mi SSE of Sumbax to 0.69 mi SSE of West Columbia
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.212, -89.920

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington

When: February 12, 1:58 PM CST to 2:03 PM CST
Where: Covington County, 1.8 mi NNW of Gandsi to 1.98 mi E of Gandsi
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.594, -89.511

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down around Seminary.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neshoba

When: February 12, 2:03 PM CST to 2:06 PM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 0.68 mi SW of Longino to 1.46 mi NW of Spring Creek
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.793, -89.108

Several trees were blown down along with a power line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jasper

When: February 12, 2:05 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, 3.01 mi WSW of Louin
Measured: 75 kt (86 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.070, -89.280

A utility shed was damaged and a back porch was blown off a home. Numerous trees were also snapped and uprooted.

Tornado, Jasper

When: February 12, 2:07 PM CST to 2:09 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, 1.78 mi NNW of Bay Spgs Thigpen Arp to 2.23 mi N of Lake Como
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.9 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $20,000
Crop damage: $70,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.975, -89.237

This tornado briefly touched down just west of Bay Springs along county road 2339. Several large pine trees were snapped and uprooted with many limbs broken off. One home sustained shingle damage on the south and east facing sides of the house. Maximum winds were around 95 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jasper

When: February 12, 2:08 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, 1.81 mi NE of Turnerville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.040, -89.180

The roof of a back porch was blown off and laid over the main house. Additional tin was blown over the house and across the front yard.

Thunderstorm Wind, Newton

When: February 12, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Newton County, 0.58 mi E of Newton
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.320, -89.160

Several trees were blown down, a few on power lines, and a roof was damaged at a construction site.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neshoba

When: February 12, 2:10 PM CST to 2:20 PM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 1.76 mi E of Neshoba to 0.58 mi E of House
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.619, -89.120

Scattered downed trees across the southeast portion of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neshoba

When: February 12, 2:11 PM CST to 2:13 PM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 3.1 mi SE of Neshoba to 5.07 mi SW of House
Measured: 74 kt (85 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $70,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.594, -89.106

An intense downburst occurred between the Neshoba and Union Communities were around 15 large trees were snapped and uprooted and shingles were torn off 2 homes.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kemper

When: February 12, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Kemper County, 2.67 mi NW of Bluff Spgs
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.802, -88.858

A couple of trees were blown down on Highway 495 N.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: February 12, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Marion County, 1.19 mi NNE of Twin
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.017, -89.794

Several trees and a few power lines were blown down along Highway 35.

Hail, Lauderdale

When: February 12, 2:18 PM CST to 2:53 PM CST
Where: Lauderdale County, 4 mi NW of Meehan to 2.85 mi SSW of Lizelia
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.374, -88.915

A swath of penny to quarter sized hail fell across a large portion of west central and central Lauderdale county. Communities from Suqualena to Nellieburg to Bailey were impacted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jones

When: February 12, 2:19 PM CST
Where: Jones County, 1.32 mi NNE of (Pib)pine Belt Rgnl
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.488, -89.324

A couple of tress were blown down with one tree on a car along Interstate 59.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lauderdale

When: February 12, 2:20 PM CST
Where: Lauderdale County, 0.58 mi W of Meehan
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.330, -88.880

A couple trees were blown down around Meehan. One large tree was down across Highway 80.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jones

When: February 12, 2:23 PM CST to 2:27 PM CST
Where: Jones County, 1.77 mi W of Moselle to 0.69 mi ENE of Moselle
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $12,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.500, -89.310

Numerous trees were blown down from just west of Moselle to around town. Several trees were down across Interstate 59, with one on a car and a person inside.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lowndes

When: February 12, 2:25 PM CST
Where: Lowndes County, 3.18 mi SSW of New Hope
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.427, -88.341

A couple of trees were blown down on Highway 69.

Hail, Forrest

When: February 12, 2:29 PM CST to 2:37 PM CST
Where: Forrest County, 0.97 mi NNE of Mc Callum to 3.97 mi NNE of Ragland
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.242, -89.212

Thunderstorm Wind, Jones

When: February 12, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Jones County, 0.59 mi W of Ellisville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.600, -89.210

A few trees were blown down on power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kemper

When: February 12, 2:31 PM CST
Where: Kemper County, 2.58 mi W of De Kalb
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.775, -88.694

Several trees were blown down on Highway 16 west.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kemper

When: February 12, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Kemper County, 6.5 mi ENE of Kellis Store
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.898, -88.663

A few trees were blown down off Highway 39 north.

Hail, Noxubee

When: February 12, 2:41 PM CST to 2:44 PM CST
Where: Noxubee County, 0.35 mi N of Shuqualak to 2.43 mi NE of Shuqualak
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 32.975, -88.581

Thunderstorm Wind, Noxubee

When: February 12, 2:42 PM CST
Where: Noxubee County, 1.74 mi E of Shuqualak
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 32.970, -88.550

Several large limbs were blown down along with one tree.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jones

When: February 12, 2:54 PM CST to 2:55 PM CST
Where: Jones County, 1.37 mi ENE of Ovett
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $15,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.490, -89.030

Numerous trees were blown down around Ovett.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lauderdale

When: February 12, 2:55 PM CST to 2:57 PM CST
Where: Lauderdale County, 1.8 mi W of Zero to 2.01 mi NE of Zero
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.298, -88.681

A large tree fell on a home on East Crescent Drive which caused significant roof damage. Power lines were blown down on a house off Causeyville Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clarke

When: February 12, 2:59 PM CST
Where: Clarke County, 0.69 mi N of Archusa Spgs
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 32.040, -88.720

A couple trees were blown down along with a few power lines.

Hail, Forrest

When: February 12, 3:06 PM CST
Where: Forrest County, 4.12 mi SW of Carnes
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 30.936, -89.317

Thunderstorm Wind, Forrest

When: February 12, 3:06 PM CST
Where: Forrest County, 4.12 mi SW of Carnes
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage: $3,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 30.936, -89.317

Several trees were blown down on a farm.

What these are

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Mississippi in 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Mississippi, 2008 Warnings in Mississippi, February 2008

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: 80067, 80068, 80069, 80070, 80075, 80071, 80073, 80484, 80074, 80072, 80805, 80487, 80806, 80488, 80485, 80493, 80492, 81881, 81875, 81882, 81888, 86822, 81893, 81894, 82140, 81895, 81906, 80807, 81916, 82139, 82143, 82145, 82146, 82150, 82149, 82158, 82181, 82147, 82151, 82159, and more.