Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Mississippi, May 2 to 3, 2008

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Mississippi, May 2 to 3, 2008
Start: 2008-05-02T13:33
End: 2008-05-03T12:45
Location: Mississippi

May 2 to 3, 2008 · NWS MEG · 31 events in 14 counties and zones

A cold front approached the Midsouth during the afternoon hours of May 2nd, 2008, Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed ahead and along the front. Storms quickly became severe and produced large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding and a few tornadoes.

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: $758,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 31

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 MEG wrote it up.

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 Memphis, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 2, 1:23 PM CST, 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 2, 1:23 PM CST, 10 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
223 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

.DISCUSSION...
A BUSY SEVERE WEATHER AFTERNOON IN PROGRESS ACROSS THE MID SOUTH.
A LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED FROM EASTERN AR
TO NORTHWEST TN AT 200 PM. REPORTS OF TORNADOES...LARGE HAIL AND
DAMAGING WINDS HAVE BEEN COMING IN FROM ARKANSAS AND THE MISSOURI
BOOTHEEL SINCE THIS MORNING. THIS LINE WILL PROGRESS ACROSS THE
MID SOUTH THROUGH THIS EVENING. PLEASE REFER TO CURRENT
OUTLOOK...WATCH AND WARNING STATEMENTS FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.

DEWPOINTS REMAIN IN THE 60S DEGREES FAHRENHEIT FOR ABOUT 50 TO 75
MILES BEHIND THE CURRENT LINE OF CONVECTION. THERE IS ANOTHER
POTENT UPPER LEVEL SHORTWAVE TROUGH WHICH WILL MOVE NORTHWEST OF
THE REGION THIS EVENING. WILL HAVE TO MONITOR THE POTENTIAL FOR
ADDITIONAL SEVERE WEATHER BEHIND THIS LINE THROUGH THE EARLY
SATURDAY MORNING.

MUCH DRIER AND SOMEWHAT COOLER AIR MOVES INTO THE REGION FOR THIS
WEEKEND AS A SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE SETTLES IN. THE NEXT CHANCE FOR
PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO BE THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK IN
RESPONSE TO A SOUTHERLY SURFACE FLOW BRINGING GULF MOISTURE
NORTHWARD AND A NORTHERN BRANCH H5 SHORTWAVE TROUGH PASSING TO THE
NORTH.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
MEM  59  76  50  71 /  90  10  10   0
MKL  59  73  46  70 /  90  10  10   0
JBR  55  72  47  69 /  70  10  10   0
TUP  62  77  49  73 /  90  40  10   0

&&

.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR CLAY-CRAIGHEAD-
     CRITTENDEN-CROSS-GREENE-LAWRENCE-LEE AR-MISSISSIPPI-
     PHILLIPS-POINSETT-RANDOLPH-ST. FRANCIS.

MO...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR DUNKLIN-PEMISCOT.

MS...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR BENTON MS-COAHOMA-
     DESOTO-LAFAYETTE-MARSHALL-PANOLA-QUITMAN-TALLAHATCHIE-TATE-
     TUNICA-YALOBUSHA.

TN...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR CROCKETT-DYER-
     FAYETTE-GIBSON-HARDEMAN-HAYWOOD-LAKE-LAUDERDALE-MADISON-
     OBION-SHELBY-TIPTON-WEAKLEY.

&&

OKULSKI

Hazardous weather outlook, May 2, 10:04 AM CST, 3 hours 29 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1104 AM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

ARZ008-009-017-018-026>028-035-036-048-049-058-MOZ113-115-
MSZ001>017-020>024-TNZ001>004-019>021-048>055-088>092-031815-
ALCORN-BENTON MS-CALHOUN-CARROLL-CHESTER-CHICKASAW-CLAY-COAHOMA-
CRAIGHEAD-CRITTENDEN-CROCKETT-CROSS-DESOTO-DECATUR-DUNKLIN-DYER-
FAYETTE-GIBSON-GREENE-HARDEMAN-HARDIN-HAYWOOD-HENDERSON-HENRY-
ITAWAMBA-LAFAYETTE-LAKE-LAUDERDALE-LAWRENCE-LEE AR-LEE MS-MADISON-
MARSHALL-MCNAIRY-MISSISSIPPI-MONROE-OBION-PANOLA-PEMISCOT-
PHILLIPS-POINSETT-PONTOTOC-PRENTISS-QUITMAN-RANDOLPH-SHELBY-
ST. FRANCIS-TALLAHATCHIE-TATE-TIPPAH-TIPTON-TISHOMINGO-TUNICA-
UNION-WEAKLEY-YALOBUSHA-
1104 AM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF EAST ARKANSAS...
THE MISSOURI BOOTHEEL...NORTH MISSISSIPPI...AND WEST TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE MIDSOUTH THROUGH 400
AM CDT SATURDAY MORNING AS A STRONG COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH THE
AREA. THE MAIN HAZARDS WITH THESE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE
DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL ALONG WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A FEW
TORNADOES. THERE IS A MODERATE RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ALONG
AND WEST OF A LINE FROM BRUCE MISSISSIPPI...TO CORINTH
MISSISSIPPI...TO PARSONS TENNESSEE. AREAS EAST OF THE ABOVE
MENTIONED LINE ARE IN A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TODAY
AND TONIGHT. PLEASE REFER TO ANY CURRENT SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES
AND WARNINGS AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERTS FOR THE LATEST
INFORMATION.

ALONG WITH THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM THREAT...HEAVY RAINFALL OF 1 TO
2 INCHES WITH SOME LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS IS EXPECTED ACROSS THE
MIDSOUTH. LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING WILL BE POSSIBLE TODAY AND TONIGHT.
PLEASE REFER TO CURRENT FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS OR SMALL STREAM FLOOD
ADVISORIES FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.

STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH
WILL OCCUR THROUGH 900 PM CDT THIS EVENING ACROSS EASTERN
ARKANSAS...THE MISSOURI BOOTHEEL...WEST TENNESSEE...AND NORTHWEST
MISSISSIPPI. A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THESE AREAS THROUGH
900 PM CDT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER OPERATIONS IS NEEDED
TODAY AND TONIGHT.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 2, 11:52 AM CST, 1 hour 41 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1252 PM CDT FRI MAY 02 2008

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

1118 AM     TSTM WND GST     OAK GROVE HEIGHTS       36.13N 90.52W
05/02/2008  E60.00 MPH       GREENE             AR   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATED 60 MPH WIND GUSTS IN OAK GROVE HEIGHTS.

1210 PM     HAIL             3 N KENNETT             36.28N 90.05W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       DUNKLIN            MO   PUBLIC

            DIME TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL NORTH OF KENNETT.

1218 PM     HAIL             CASH                    35.80N 90.93W
05/02/2008  E0.75 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   POST OFFICE

            PENNY SIZE HAIL IN CASH.

1224 PM     HAIL             4 W JONESBORO           35.82N 90.76W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL AT COUNTY ROAD 151 AND STATE HIGHWAY
            91. HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES.

1224 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 W JONESBORO           35.82N 90.76W
05/02/2008  E60.00 MPH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            60 MPH WIND ESTIMATED WIND GUSTS AT COUNTY ROAD 151 AND
            STATE HIGHWAY 91.

1233 PM     HAIL             JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008  E0.75 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   BROADCAST MEDIA

            PENNY SIZE HAIL ON DAN AVENUE IN JONESBORO.

1237 PM     HAIL             JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL ON ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN
            JONESBORO.

1250 PM     FLASH FLOOD      JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008                   CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FLOODING ON WASHINGTON STREET IN JONESBORO.

&&

JKT

Local storm report, May 2, 11:56 AM CST, 1 hour 37 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1256 PM CDT FRI MAY 02 2008

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

1118 AM     TSTM WND GST     OAK GROVE HEIGHTS       36.13N 90.52W
05/02/2008  E60.00 MPH       GREENE             AR   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATED 60 MPH WIND GUSTS IN OAK GROVE HEIGHTS.

1210 PM     HAIL             3 N KENNETT             36.28N 90.05W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       DUNKLIN            MO   PUBLIC

            DIME TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL NORTH OF KENNETT.

1218 PM     HAIL             CASH                    35.80N 90.93W
05/02/2008  E0.75 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   POST OFFICE

            PENNY SIZE HAIL IN CASH.

1224 PM     HAIL             4 W JONESBORO           35.82N 90.76W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL AT COUNTY ROAD 151 AND STATE HIGHWAY
            91. HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES.

1224 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 W JONESBORO           35.82N 90.76W
05/02/2008  E60.00 MPH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            60 MPH WIND ESTIMATED WIND GUSTS AT COUNTY ROAD 151 AND
            STATE HIGHWAY 91.

1233 PM     HAIL             JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008  E0.75 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   BROADCAST MEDIA

            PENNY SIZE HAIL ON DAN AVENUE IN JONESBORO.

1237 PM     HAIL             JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL ON ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN
            JONESBORO.

1250 PM     FLASH FLOOD      JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008                   CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FLOODING ON WASHINGTON STREET IN JONESBORO.

1255 PM     TSTM WND GST     BROOKLAND               35.90N 90.58W
05/02/2008  E70.00 MPH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ESTIMATED 60 TO 70 MPH WINDS IN BROOKLAND.

&&

JKT

Local storm report, May 2, 12:14 PM CST, 1 hour 19 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
114 PM CDT FRI MAY 02 2008

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

1118 AM     TSTM WND GST     OAK GROVE HEIGHTS       36.13N 90.52W
05/02/2008  E60.00 MPH       GREENE             AR   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATED 60 MPH WIND GUSTS IN OAK GROVE HEIGHTS.

1210 PM     HAIL             3 N KENNETT             36.28N 90.05W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       DUNKLIN            MO   PUBLIC

            DIME TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL NORTH OF KENNETT.

1218 PM     HAIL             CASH                    35.80N 90.93W
05/02/2008  E0.75 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   POST OFFICE

            PENNY SIZE HAIL IN CASH.

1224 PM     HAIL             4 W JONESBORO           35.82N 90.76W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL AT COUNTY ROAD 151 AND STATE HIGHWAY
            91. HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES.

1224 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 W JONESBORO           35.82N 90.76W
05/02/2008  E60.00 MPH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            60 MPH WIND ESTIMATED WIND GUSTS AT COUNTY ROAD 151 AND
            STATE HIGHWAY 91.

1233 PM     HAIL             JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008  E0.75 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   BROADCAST MEDIA

            PENNY SIZE HAIL ON DAN AVENUE IN JONESBORO.

1237 PM     HAIL             JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL ON ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN
            JONESBORO.

1250 PM     FLASH FLOOD      JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008                   CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FLOODING ON WASHINGTON STREET IN JONESBORO.

1255 PM     TSTM WND GST     BROOKLAND               35.90N 90.58W
05/02/2008  E70.00 MPH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ESTIMATED 60 TO 70 MPH WINDS IN BROOKLAND.

0105 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BROOKLAND               35.90N 90.58W
05/02/2008                   CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE LIMBS DOWN IN BROOKLAND.

0110 PM     TORNADO          4 SE PARAGOULD          36.02N 90.46W
05/02/2008                   GREENE             AR   PUBLIC

            TORNADO 4 MILES NORTH OF DIXIE NEAR GREENE/CRAIGHEAD
            COUNTY LINE.

&&

JKT

Special weather statement, May 2, 12:30 PM CST, 1 hour 3 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
130 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

MSZ012-013-021915-
LAFAYETTE MS-PANOLA MS-
130 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

...THIS SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IS FOR...

  NORTHWESTERN LAFAYETTE COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...
  SOUTHEASTERN PANOLA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...

A STRONG THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING PEA TO DIME SIZE HAIL AND 40 TO 50
MPH WINDS WAS LOCATED 13 MILES WEST OF SPRINGDALE AT 130 PM CDT...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

VERY HEAVY RAIN ALONG WITH CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THIS THUNDERSTORM.

THIS STORM IS INTENSIFYING AND COULD BECOME SEVERE RAPIDLY.

PEOPLE IN LAFAYETTE AND PANOLA COUNTIES...INCLUDING THE CITY OF
OXFORD...SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM CLOSELY. THIS SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
ALERT IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 PM CDT.

Local storm report, May 2, 12:55 PM CST, 38 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
155 PM CDT FRI MAY 02 2008

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

1118 AM     TSTM WND GST     OAK GROVE HEIGHTS       36.13N 90.52W
05/02/2008  E60.00 MPH       GREENE             AR   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATED 60 MPH WIND GUSTS IN OAK GROVE HEIGHTS.

1210 PM     HAIL             3 N KENNETT             36.28N 90.05W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       DUNKLIN            MO   PUBLIC

            DIME TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL NORTH OF KENNETT.

1218 PM     HAIL             CASH                    35.80N 90.93W
05/02/2008  E0.75 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   POST OFFICE

            PENNY SIZE HAIL IN CASH.

1224 PM     HAIL             4 W JONESBORO           35.82N 90.76W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL AT COUNTY ROAD 151 AND STATE HIGHWAY
            91. HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES.

1224 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 W JONESBORO           35.82N 90.76W
05/02/2008  E60.00 MPH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            60 MPH WIND ESTIMATED WIND GUSTS AT COUNTY ROAD 151 AND
            STATE HIGHWAY 91.

1233 PM     HAIL             JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008  E0.75 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   BROADCAST MEDIA

            PENNY SIZE HAIL ON DAN AVENUE IN JONESBORO.

1237 PM     HAIL             JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL ON ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN
            JONESBORO.

1250 PM     FLASH FLOOD      JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008                   CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FLOODING ON WASHINGTON STREET IN JONESBORO.

1255 PM     TSTM WND GST     BROOKLAND               35.90N 90.58W
05/02/2008  E70.00 MPH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ESTIMATED 60 TO 70 MPH WINDS IN BROOKLAND.

0105 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BROOKLAND               35.90N 90.58W
05/02/2008                   CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE LIMBS DOWN IN BROOKLAND.

0108 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 NE BROOKLAND          35.94N 90.53W
05/02/2008                   CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            2 GRAIN BINS DESTROYED AND POWER LINES DOWN NEAR THE
            INTERSECTION OF COUNTY ROAD 977 AND 997.

0110 PM     TORNADO          4 SE PARAGOULD          36.02N 90.46W
05/02/2008                   GREENE             AR   PUBLIC

            TORNADO 4 MILES NORTH OF DIXIE NEAR GREENE/CRAIGHEAD
            COUNTY LINE.

0151 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     1 S KENNETT             36.23N 90.05W
05/02/2008                   DUNKLIN            MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            NUMEROUS REPORTS OF FUNNEL CLOUDS JUST SOUTH OF KENNETT
            ALONG HIGHWAY Z.

&&

JKT

Local storm report, May 2, 1:11 PM CST, 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
211 PM CDT FRI MAY 02 2008

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

1118 AM     TSTM WND GST     OAK GROVE HEIGHTS       36.13N 90.52W
05/02/2008  E60.00 MPH       GREENE             AR   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATED 60 MPH WIND GUSTS IN OAK GROVE HEIGHTS.

1210 PM     HAIL             3 N KENNETT             36.28N 90.05W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       DUNKLIN            MO   PUBLIC

            DIME TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL NORTH OF KENNETT.

1218 PM     HAIL             CASH                    35.80N 90.93W
05/02/2008  E0.75 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   POST OFFICE

            PENNY SIZE HAIL IN CASH.

1224 PM     HAIL             4 W JONESBORO           35.82N 90.76W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL AT COUNTY ROAD 151 AND STATE HIGHWAY
            91. HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES.

1224 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 W JONESBORO           35.82N 90.76W
05/02/2008  E60.00 MPH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            60 MPH WIND ESTIMATED WIND GUSTS AT COUNTY ROAD 151 AND
            STATE HIGHWAY 91.

1233 PM     HAIL             JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008  E0.75 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   BROADCAST MEDIA

            PENNY SIZE HAIL ON DAN AVENUE IN JONESBORO.

1237 PM     HAIL             JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL ON ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN
            JONESBORO.

1250 PM     FLASH FLOOD      JONESBORO               35.82N 90.69W
05/02/2008                   CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FLOODING ON WASHINGTON STREET IN JONESBORO.

1255 PM     TSTM WND GST     BROOKLAND               35.90N 90.58W
05/02/2008  E70.00 MPH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ESTIMATED 60 TO 70 MPH WINDS IN BROOKLAND.

0105 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BROOKLAND               35.90N 90.58W
05/02/2008                   CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE LIMBS DOWN IN BROOKLAND.

0108 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 NE BROOKLAND          35.94N 90.53W
05/02/2008                   CRAIGHEAD          AR   EMERGENCY MNGR

            2 GRAIN BINS DESTROYED AND POWER LINES DOWN NEAR THE
            INTERSECTION OF COUNTY ROAD 977 AND 997.

0110 PM     TORNADO          4 SE PARAGOULD          36.02N 90.46W
05/02/2008                   GREENE             AR   PUBLIC

            TORNADO 4 MILES NORTH OF DIXIE NEAR GREENE/CRAIGHEAD
            COUNTY LINE.

0139 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 NE SENATH             36.15N 90.14W
05/02/2008                   DUNKLIN            MO   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            BARN DESTROYED WITH CONTENTS STREWN JUST NORTH OF CARUTH.
            UNKNOWN AT TIME IF TORNADO DAMAGE.

0151 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     1 S KENNETT             36.23N 90.05W
05/02/2008                   DUNKLIN            MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            NUMEROUS REPORTS OF FUNNEL CLOUDS JUST SOUTH OF KENNETT
            ALONG HIGHWAY Z.

&&

JKT

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 100 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:34 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

13 hail, 10 thunderstorm wind, 5 tornado, 3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Lafayette

When: May 2, 1:33 PM CST to 1:38 PM CST
Where: Lafayette County, Abbeville
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.500, -89.500

Hail, Tunica

When: May 2, 2:40 PM CST to 2:45 PM CST
Where: Tunica County, Clayton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.600, -90.420

Thunderstorm Wind, De Soto

When: May 2, 3:20 PM CST to 3:25 PM CST
Where: De Soto County, 2.01 mi ESE of Cub Lake to 2.07 mi SE of Cub Lake
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.771, -90.116

Straight line winds knocked down a few trees on Arkabutla Dam Road.

Hail, Panola

When: May 2, 3:28 PM CST to 3:33 PM CST
Where: Panola County, 1.92 mi ESE of Batesville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.309, -89.919

Hail, Panola

When: May 2, 3:34 PM CST to 3:39 PM CST
Where: Panola County, Batesville Panola Ar
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.370, -89.900

Half Dollar size hail fell at the Panola County Airport.

Hail, Lafayette

When: May 2, 4:08 PM CST to 4:13 PM CST
Where: Lafayette County, 1.02 mi WSW of Oxford
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.365, -89.537

Penny size hail fell on the University of Mississippi Campus.

Thunderstorm Wind, Panola

When: May 2, 4:10 PM CST to 4:15 PM CST
Where: Panola County, 1.23 mi ESE of Rock Hill to 1.4 mi SSE of Batesville Panola Ar
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.393, -89.980

Straight line winds produced damage to six homes in Butler Estates outside of Sardis. In addition, a tree fell onto a house off of Bill Wallace Road.

Hail, Coahoma

When: May 2, 4:31 PM CST to 4:36 PM CST
Where: Coahoma County, 7 mi SSW of Clarksdale
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.106, -90.627

Hail, Union

When: May 2, 4:33 PM CST to 4:38 PM CST
Where: Union County, 1 mi W of Etta
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.470, -89.218

Thunderstorm Wind, Coahoma

When: May 2, 4:36 PM CST to 4:41 PM CST
Where: Coahoma County, 1.17 mi S of Lyon to 1.11 mi S of Lyon
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.203, -90.553

Straight line winds damaged numerous homes in the 400 blocks of Andrews Avenue and Cunningham Avenue. One home on Andrews Avenue lost half of the roof. Several trees and some fencing were also knocked down in the area.

Tornado, Union

When: May 2, 4:48 PM CST to 4:52 PM CST
Where: Union County, 0.67 mi SE of Enterprise to 1.26 mi N of Poolville
Rating: EF2
Path length: 3.11 mi
Path width: 440 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.462, -89.163

The tornado first touched down in the Enterprise community in Western Union County near County Road 46 where a couple of sheds were destroyed and trees were uprooted. The intensifying tornado moved northeast causing damage to the roofs and exterior walls of several homes. The tornado was at its most powerful as it crossed State Highway 30. A gas station canopy and sign along with several large buildings were damaged. One large metal building suffered moderate damage. There was roof damage to a church and the steeple was knocked down. Many trees were knocked down and several power poles were snapped. A large bus was flipped on to its side. The tornado lifted near County Road 51 or about 2 miles northeast of Enterprise. There was minor damage in this area with several large trees uprooted and minor roof damage to a home. Along the entire track about 20 homes suffered at least some damage.

Tornado, Union

When: May 2, 5:00 PM CST to 5:01 PM CST
Where: Union County, 0.82 mi SSW of Glenfield to 0.7 mi SSE of Glenfield
Rating: EF2
Path length: 0.52 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.509, -89.034

A tornado touched down in the Glenfield area and the Colonial Gardens subdivision of New Albany and damaged at least 10 homes. In the Glenfield area, a gas station canopy was damaged and several trees were uprooted. Several houses also had minor shingle damage. The tornado intensified as it moved into the Colonial Gardens subdivision where two homes suffered total roof loss along with some exterior wall collapse. More trees were snapped off and uprooted in this area as well.

Tornado, Union

When: May 2, 5:12 PM CST to 5:16 PM CST
Where: Union County, 1.88 mi NNE of Baker to 1.7 mi E of Keownville
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.46 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.526, -88.943

A tornado tracked non-continuously across the Pleasant Hill and Keownville areas. In the Pleasant Hill area, a home had a porch torn off along with some roof damage. A very large tree was also uprooted. The tornado touched down again along State Highway 30 in Keownville where several grain bins were heavily damaged, a shed was destroyed and several trees were uprooted. Further to the northeast along Highway 30, another home had a partial collapse of a garage wall along with minor damage to the roof.

Tornado, Prentiss

When: May 2, 5:41 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Prentiss County, 1.25 mi SSW of Blackland to 4.79 mi NW of Thrashers
Rating: EF1
Path length: 11.89 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Continued into: Alcorn, Ms (MEG)
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.633, -88.678

A tornado touched down in the Blackland community and tracked non-continuously across Northwest Prentiss County before moving into Alcorn County. In Blackland trees were knocked down and a few outbuildings had there roofs blown off. The tornado lifted then touched down again along County Road 7100 where additional trees were downed and a house was damaged by a fallen tree. The tornado continued northeast across Highway 4 between Jumpertown and Booneville where a local business had its roof blown off. Several outbuildings were also destroyed and shingles were ripped off the roofs of several homes. More damage was observed near the intersection of County Road 8200 and Highway 45 where a tree hit a mobile home. The tornado then tracked into Alcorn County.

Hail, Tate

When: May 2, 5:45 PM CST to 5:50 PM CST
Where: Tate County, Senatobia
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.620, -89.950

Hail, Alcorn

When: May 2, 5:51 PM CST to 5:56 PM CST
Where: Alcorn County, Hinkle
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.780, -88.570

Thunderstorm Wind, Quitman

When: May 2, 5:52 PM CST to 5:57 PM CST
Where: Quitman County, 7 mi WNW of Lambert to 2.13 mi NNE of Barksdale
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.239, -90.393

Straight line winds blew the roofs off of a garage and a workshop, northwest of Lambert.

Tornado, Alcorn

When: May 2, 6:00 PM CST to 6:03 PM CST
Where: Alcorn County, 1.01 mi S of Rienzi to 1.32 mi ENE of Rienzi
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.88 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.755, -88.531

A tornado tracked from Northwest Prentiss County into Alcorn county near the town of Rienzi. In Alcorn county one house had roof damage while another house suffered siding damage and a couple of columns had to be replaced. Numerous trees were also knocked down. The tornado lifted about 2 miles east-northeast of Rienzi.

Hail, Prentiss

When: May 2, 6:40 PM CST to 6:45 PM CST
Where: Prentiss County, 2 mi W of Booneville
Measured: 2 in hail
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.650, -88.585

Flash Flood, Coahoma

When: May 2, 7:20 PM CST to 8:20 PM CST
Where: Coahoma County, 0.94 mi S of Clarksdale to Hopson
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.186, -90.580

Heavy rain produced flash flooding in Clarksdale. In Crossroads Estates, 26 apartments were reported flooded. Also, a few roads and yards were covered with water as a result.

Flash Flood, De Soto

When: May 2, 7:23 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: De Soto County, 2 mi E of South Haven to 2.73 mi WSW of Mineral Wells
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 34.970, -89.995

Heavy rain produced flash flooding near Southaven. A few streets had water covering them as a result.

Hail, De Soto

When: May 2, 7:33 PM CST to 7:38 PM CST
Where: De Soto County, 0.73 mi N of Bright
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.861, -89.919

Dime to nickel size hail fell at the intersection of Byhalia Road and Malone Road outside of Hernando.

Thunderstorm Wind, De Soto

When: May 2, 7:35 PM CST to 7:40 PM CST
Where: De Soto County, 0.75 mi NNW of Bright to 0.77 mi NNE of Bright
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.861, -89.923

Straight line winds blew trees down on Byhalia Road at the intersection of Malone Road outside of Hernando.

Hail, De Soto

When: May 2, 9:25 PM CST to 9:30 PM CST
Where: De Soto County, South Haven
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.970, -90.030

Hail, Lafayette

When: May 2, 11:40 PM CST to 11:45 PM CST
Where: Lafayette County, 3 mi N of Oxford
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.413, -89.520

Flash Flood, Lafayette

When: May 2, 11:55 PM CST to May 3, 1:55 AM CST
Where: Lafayette County, 0.53 mi SE of Oxford to 0.59 mi SE of Oxford
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.364, -89.514

Heavy rain produced flash flooding along University Drive in Oxford.

Thunderstorm Wind, Yalobusha

When: May 3, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Yalobusha County, 0.47 mi N of Bruce Jct to 0.89 mi NE of Bruce Jct
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 33.977, -89.679

Straight line winds ripped part of the roof off the Coffeeville Insurance Agency.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tippah

When: May 3, 12:23 PM CST to 12:28 PM CST
Where: Tippah County, 0.45 mi SW of Falkner to Falkner
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.846, -88.937

Straight line winds knocked down trees in Falkner.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: May 3, 12:30 PM CST to 12:35 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, 0.83 mi NNE of Bruce to 1.1 mi WSW of Bruce Hasting Arpt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.991, -89.344

Straight line winds knocked down trees and power lines in Bruce.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: May 3, 12:30 PM CST to 12:35 PM CST
Where: Union County, 2 mi SE of Keownville to 2.1 mi ESE of Keownville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.529, -88.895

Straight line winds knocked down several large trees and caused shingle damage to two homes.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pontotoc

When: May 3, 12:40 PM CST to 12:45 PM CST
Where: Pontotoc County, 1.52 mi WNW of Buckhorn to 5 mi S of Randolph
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.107, -89.175

Straight line winds knocked down power lines about 5 miles south of Randolph.

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

Every storm in Mississippi in 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Mississippi, 2008 Warnings in Mississippi, May 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: 102918, 102949, 103244, 107106, 103251, 103263, 103269, 103317, 103322, 111111, 106401, 107033, 107053, 107077, 103328, 103331, 103356, 107083, 103368, 103364, 103370, 103596, 103597, 103598, 103600, 107084, 111115, 107088, 107087, 107092, 107090.