Mississippi, 2009

Flash Flooding and Hail in Mississippi, April 12 to 13, 2009

April 12 to 13, 2009 · NWS JAN · 53 events in 31 counties and zones

During the late afternoon and evening hours of Easter Sunday, a large and strong upper level low clashed into an air mass where high levels of moisture were being pulled northward. This resulted in scattered severe storms which produced penny to half dollar sized hail and damaging winds.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 15 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
$2.4 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
53

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.

During the late afternoon and evening hours of Easter Sunday, a large and strong upper level low clashed into an air mass where high levels of moisture were being pulled northward. This resulted in scattered severe storms which produced penny to half dollar sized hail and damaging winds. Most of the hail occurred across NW portions of the forecast area while the damaging winds occurred across the southern third. All of the convective wind damage occurred within the Highway 84 corridor from Natchez to Laurel as a bowing line of storms moved through this area and downed numerous trees. Some of the winds were as high as 70 or 80 mph across portions of Lincoln, Lawrence, Jefferson Davis, and Covington Counties. In addition to the damaging winds and hail, heavy rain and substantial flash flooding occurred. The heaviest rains fell along and south of the Highway 84 corridor from Brookhaven to Laurel where 4 to 6 inches fell with a few select locations likely reaching 7 inches.

Aside from the convective winds, which occurred from the line of thunderstorms, a wake low wind event occurred across the northeast portion of the forecast area (locations E of I-55 and N of I-20). This wake low occurred as higher surface pressures were held on to by the stratiform rain shield. As the back edge of the rain pushed east, surface pressures are allowed to drop rapidly in response to the main surface low which was located over southern Arkansas. The rapid drop in pressure, forced the winds to increase and shift more out of the east. As this occurred, sustained easterly winds increased to 30 to 45 mph with gusts between 50 and 60 mph. These strong winds downed many trees and caused other minor damage across the northeast portion of the area.

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 Apr 12, 11:06 AM CST, 1 hour earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 12, 11:06 AM CST, 1 hour before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
1206 PM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

.DISCUSSION...THE DEWPOINTS TO WEST WERE STEADILY INCREASING AS THE
WARM FRONT TRACKED NORTH. SEVERE STORMS WERE STARTING TO EXTEND INTO
THE WESTERN ZONES. RUC SHOWS 700-500MB LAPSE RATES AROUND 7 OR 8 WITH
500MB TEMPERATURES AROUND -12 TO -13. MORNING SOUNDINGS SHOW ELEVATED
INSTABILITY...BUT THE LOWER LEVELS AT JACKSON WERE STILL DRY. LOOKING
FOR ELEVATED HAIL PRODUCING STORMS CONTINUE FOR THE WESTERN PORTIONS
OF THE CWA...MAINLY THE LOUISIANA PARISHES AND SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
COUNTIES INTO THE EARLY AFTERNOON. THE LINE OF STORMS WAS ALREADY
BARING DOWN ON WESTERN LOUISIANA AND WILL LIKELY BE MOVING INTO THE FAR
WESTERN PORTIONS OF THE CWA AROUND 2 PM. MADE SOME SMALL ADJUSTMENTS
TO THE WEATHER GRIDS TO INCREASE THUNDER WORDING IN THE WEST.
THINKING AT THIS TIME THAT LINE OF STORMS WILL BE OVER SE AR/NE LA
FROM 2-4...ALONG THE RIVER 3-6 INTO THE I-55 CORRIDOR FROM 5-8 AND
INTO THE EAST FROM 8-12A AND LIKELY LINGERING OVER THE FAR E/SE
COUNTIES A LITTLE AFTER MIDNIGHT.

LOWERED THE TEMPERATURES IN THE SOUTHEAST WHERE THE STRATUS REFUSES
TO DISSIPATE AND TEMPERATURES WERE STRUGGLING TO GET OUT OF THE LOWER
60S. THE LAKE WIND ADVISORY CONTINUES. NO OTHER CHANGES TO THE
FORECAST.

&&

.AVIATION...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WEE STILL EXPECTED TO MOVE
INTO THE WESTERN PORTIONS OF THE AREA BY EARLY AFTERNOON AND TRACK
EAST THROUGH THE EVENING. THUNDERSTORMS WERE ALREADY MOVING INTO THE
GREENVILLE AREA WITH SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH FOR THE
NEXT HOUR OR TWO. HAIL IS LIKELY FROM NOW THROUGH 2 PM. A LINE OF
THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION AFTER 2 PM. LOOK FOR
THUNDERSTORMS AT GLH FROM 2-6P...GWO/JAN 4-8P...MEI/GTR 7-11P AND HBG
FROM 8P UNTIL AFTER MIDNIGHT. IN ADDITION TO THUNDERSTORMS A TIGHT
PRESSURE GRADIENT WILL MAINTAIN WINDS FROM 10 TO 20KTS WITH GUSTS TO
30KTS POSSIBLE AT ALL SITES THROUGH MIDNIGHT. AFTER 6Z CONDITIONS SHOULD
IMPROVE ACROSS THE AREA. WITH SKIES CLEARING FROM THE WEST THROUGH
14Z. ANOTHER DISTURBANCE WILL APPROACH THE AREA MONDAY MORNING
BRINGING CLOUDS AND MAYBE A FEW SPRINKLES TO GLH/GWO/GTR. CEILINGS
WILL REMAIN ABOVE 3KFT. OTHERWISE...VFR CONDITIONS SHOULD PREVAIL AT
ALL SITES FROM 15Z THROUGH TUESDAY.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
JACKSON       73  60  79  53 /  78  88  20  13
MERIDIAN      73  59  77  50 /  57  94  31  26
VICKSBURG     73  58  79  50 /  88  77  18   9
HATTIESBURG   74  62  78  58 /  57  82  36  16
NATCHEZ       74  60  79  47 /  82  65  17   7
GREENVILLE    71  56  77  48 /  93  73  20  14
GREENWOOD     70  58  79  48 /  80  83  20  25

&&

.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT FOR MSZ028>033-
     037>039-044>046-050>052-056>058-065-066-073-074.

     LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR MSZ018-019-
     025>027-034>036-040>043-047>049-053>055-059>064-072.

LA...LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR LAZ007>009-
     015-016-023>026.

AR...LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR ARZ074-075.

&&

7
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 12, 5:08 AM CST, 6 hours 58 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
608 AM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026-MSZ034-035-040>043-047>050-
053>055-059>063-131115-
ASHLEY-CHICOT-MOREHOUSE-WEST CARROLL-EAST CARROLL-RICHLAND-
MADISON LA-FRANKLIN LA-CATAHOULA-TENSAS-CONCORDIA-WASHINGTON-
HUMPHREYS-ISSAQUENA-SHARKEY-YAZOO-MADISON MS-WARREN-HINDS-RANKIN-
SCOTT-CLAIBORNE-COPIAH-SIMPSON-JEFFERSON-ADAMS-FRANKLIN MS-
LINCOLN-LAWRENCE-
608 AM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK WILL BE POSSIBLE FROM LATE THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH EVENING. SCATTERED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CONTAINING DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND POSSIBLY TORNADOES...ARE EXPECTED TO
APPROACH THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AFTER ABOUT 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON. THE
STORMS WILL AFFECT THE AREA THIS EVENING...THEN MOVE EAST OF THE AREA
BEFORE MIDNIGHT.

A POWERFUL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING INTO THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI
VALLEY REGION AND A STRONG JET STREAM WILL CREATE VERY STRONG WIND
SHEAR AND AN UNSTABLE ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE FOR SEVERE WEATHER
OUTBREAKS. RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO KEEP INFORMED OF THE LATEST
INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS POTENTIAL SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

THE PROBABILITY OF WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.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 LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

MSZ051-052-056>058-064>066-072>074-131115-
NEWTON-LAUDERDALE-SMITH-JASPER-CLARKE-JEFFERSON DAVIS-COVINGTON-
JONES-MARION-LAMAR-FORREST-
608 AM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK WILL BE POSSIBLE TONIGHT. SCATTERED SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS CONTAINING DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND POSSIBLY
TORNADOES...ARE EXPECTED TO MOVE IN AROUND 9 PM THIS EVENING AND THEN
AFFECT THE AREA THROUGH MUCH OF THE NIGHT.

A POWERFUL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING INTO THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI
VALLEY REGION AND A STRONG JET STREAM WILL CREATE VERY STRONG WIND
SHEAR AND AN UNSTABLE ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE FOR SEVERE WEATHER
OUTBREAKS. RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO KEEP INFORMED OF THE LATEST
INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS POTENTIAL SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

THE PROBABILITY OF WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.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 TONIGHT.

MSZ018-019-025>033-036>039-044>046-131115-
BOLIVAR-SUNFLOWER-LEFLORE-GRENADA-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-WEBSTER-CLAY-
LOWNDES-CHOCTAW-OKTIBBEHA-HOLMES-ATTALA-WINSTON-NOXUBEE-LEAKE-
NESHOBA-KEMPER-
608 AM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL AND EAST CENTRAL
MISSISSIPPI.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE FROM LATE THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH EVENING. THUNDERSTORMS CONTAINING...LARGE HAIL...AND POSSIBLY
STRONG WIND GUSTS...ARE EXPECTED TO APPROACH THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
AFTER ABOUT 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON...THEN MOVE THROUGH THE AREA DURING
THE EVENING. AT THIS TIME...IT LOOKS LIKE THE GREATEST INSTABILITY
WILL BE FARTHER SOUTH AND THIS SHOULD LIMIT THE POTENTIAL FOR
DAMAGING WINDS.

A POWERFUL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING INTO THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI
VALLEY REGION AND A STRONG JET STREAM WILL INTERACT WITH A VERY
MOIST AIRMASS TO BRING WIDESPREAD THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN LATER
THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING. RESIDENTS SHOULD KEEP INFORMED OF
THE LATEST UPDATES CONCERNING THIS THUNDERSTORM EVENT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

THE PROBABILITY OF WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.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 LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT.

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

EC

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 12, 10:15 AM CST, 1 hour 51 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
1115 AM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

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

1110 AM     HAIL             4 NE CROSSETT           33.17N 91.92W
04/12/2009  E1.00 INCH       ASHLEY             AR   LAW ENFORCEMENT

&&

CME
Local storm report, Apr 12, 10:27 AM CST, 1 hour 39 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
1127 AM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

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

1108 AM     HAIL             2 NE CROSSETT           33.15N 91.94W
04/12/2009  E1.25 INCH       ASHLEY             AR   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            BUSTED WINDSHIELD ON A SO VEHICLE.

&&

CME
Local storm report, Apr 12, 11:07 AM CST, 59 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
1207 PM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

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

1200 PM     HAIL             LAKE VILLAGE            33.32N 91.28W
04/12/2009  E1.00 INCH       CHICOT             AR   LAW ENFORCEMENT

&&

CME
Special weather statement, Apr 12, 11:27 AM CST, 39 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
1227 PM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

ARZ074-121810-
ASHLEY AR-
1227 PM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PEA TO DIME SIZE HAIL WAS
LOCATED 3 MILES NORTHWEST OF WEST CROSSETT AT 1227 PM CDT...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

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

PEOPLE IN ASHLEY COUNTY SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM CLOSELY.

CAW
Special weather statement, Apr 12, 11:51 AM CST, 15 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
1251 PM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

ARZ074-LAZ007-121830-
ASHLEY AR-MOREHOUSE LA-
1251 PM CDT SUN APR 12 2009

A CLUSTER OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PEA TO DIME
SIZE HAIL WAS LOCATED OVER NORTHERN MOREHOUSE PARISH AND CENTRAL
ASHLEY COUNTY AT 1250 PM CDT...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

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

PEOPLE IN ASHLEY COUNTY...AND NORTHERN MOREHOUSE PARISH SHOULD
MONITOR THIS STORM CLOSELY.

CAW

The radar

The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 159 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:06 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

16 thunderstorm wind, 12 high wind, 11 hail, 10 flash flood, 3 strong wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Sunflower

When
April 12, 12:06 PM CST to 12:29 PM CST
Where
Sunflower County, 2.04 mi NW of Roundaway to 0.81 mi NE of Brooks
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
33.603, -90.643

A swath of quarter sized hail fell across a portion of central Sunflower County.

Strong Wind, Bolivar

When
April 12, 1:20 PM CST
Where
Bolivar forecast zone
Measured
46 kt (53 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.796, -90.880 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A roof sustained damaged and some trees and power lines were blown down across Cleveland. Winds occurred from a gravity wave feature as a large moderate rain shield was moving through the area.

Lightning, Madison

When
April 12, 4:29 PM CST
Where
Madison County, 0.53 mi ESE of Flora
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
32.546, -90.312

A home was struck and damaged occurred to many electrical appliances.

Thunderstorm Wind, Adams

When
April 12, 4:42 PM CST to 4:50 PM CST
Where
Adams County, 3 mi NNW of Kingston to 1.14 mi S of Cranfield
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.460, -91.300

A few trees were blown down across eastern Adams County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When
April 12, 5:20 PM CST
Where
Franklin County, 1.82 mi NW of Meadville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
31.490, -90.920

A couple trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When
April 12, 5:24 PM CST
Where
Franklin County, 1.57 mi SSW of Bude
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
31.448, -90.857

A couple of trees were blown down off Highway 98.

Strong Wind, Madison

When
April 12, 6:00 PM CST to 6:15 PM CST
Where
Madison forecast zone
Measured
43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.635, -90.034 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 40 and 50 mph downed a few trees across Madison County. A couple of these trees were down across roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When
April 12, 6:08 PM CST to 6:10 PM CST
Where
Lincoln County, 3.25 mi SSW of Brookhaven to 2.07 mi S of Brookhaven
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.535, -90.467

Several trees were blown down along with a few power poles broken off. This damage occurred along Highway 51 just south of Brookhaven.

High Wind, Attala

When
April 12, 6:15 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where
Attala forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.086, -89.581 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed dozens of trees across Attala County. A few trees were down across area roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
April 12, 6:24 PM CST to 6:40 PM CST
Where
Lawrence County, 2.23 mi ESE of Nola to 1.03 mi SE of Grange
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
31.610, -90.214

Numerous trees and some power lines were blown down across the central portion of the county as wind gusts between 70 and 80 mph blew through.

Thunderstorm Wind, Copiah

When
April 12, 6:24 PM CST to 6:29 PM CST
Where
Copiah County, 1.5 mi NNW of Cowanville
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
31.770, -90.160

Numerous trees fell south of Rockport, which blocked some roads.

High Wind, Leake

When
April 12, 6:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where
Leake forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.754, -89.524 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed several trees across portions of Leake County. A couple of these trees were down across roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When
April 12, 6:30 PM CST to 6:38 PM CST
Where
Lawrence County, 2.83 mi SW of Oma to 2.27 mi S of Oma
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
31.719, -90.161

Several trees were blown down near the Oma Community.

High Wind, Choctaw

When
April 12, 6:40 PM CST to 7:40 PM CST
Where
Choctaw forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.347, -89.248 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed several trees across Choctaw County. A few trees were down across area roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson Davis

When
April 12, 6:45 PM CST to 6:54 PM CST
Where
Jefferson Davis County, 4.24 mi NW of Prentiss Arpt to 4.5 mi S of Gwinville
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
31.646, -89.948

Scattered trees were blown down just northwest of Prentiss to near Highway 13.

Strong Wind, Montgomery

When
April 12, 7:00 PM CST to 7:45 PM CST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Measured
43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$4,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.494, -89.616 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 40 and 50 mph downed a few trees along with a highway sign.

Flash Flood, Lincoln

When
April 12, 7:20 PM CST to 9:40 PM CST
Where
Lincoln County, 2.54 mi NNE of Auburn to 4.14 mi W of Bristerville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.386, -90.611

Extensive flash flooding was observed across most of Lincoln County, especially in the southern part of the county. Numerous roads were flooded, included were a few that do not typically get flooded. One person had to be rescued on Summit Road near the Pike County line. Rainfall totals ranged from 4 to 6 inches.

Flash Flood, Lawrence

When
April 12, 7:29 PM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where
Lawrence County, 0.77 mi N of Campbell to 4.04 mi S of Silver Creek
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.631, -90.002

Numerous streets and roads were flooded around Monticello, including the downtown area. Oak Grove Church Road just outside of Monticello had portions of it washed out. The Sheriff's office discovered that a car had driven into a washed out road. Also numerous roads across the county had flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington

When
April 12, 7:33 PM CST to 7:37 PM CST
Where
Covington County, 2.88 mi ENE of Smith to 3.15 mi NE of Hot Coffee
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
31.762, -89.523

Trees were knocked down on Highway 37 near the Smith-Covington county line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Smith

When
April 12, 7:37 PM CST to 7:41 PM CST
Where
Smith County, 0.55 mi W of Taylorsville to 1.06 mi ENE of Taylorsville
Measured
58 kt (67 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
31.829, -89.439

Several trees were blown down and snapped around Taylorsville.

High Wind, Winston

When
April 12, 7:40 PM CST to 8:40 PM CST
Where
Winston forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.089, -89.034 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed dozens of trees across Winston County. A few trees were down across area roads.

High Wind, Neshoba

When
April 12, 7:40 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
Where
Neshoba forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.754, -89.118 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed dozens of trees across Neshoba County. Some trees were down across area roads.

High Wind, Oktibbeha

When
April 12, 7:40 PM CST to 8:40 PM CST
Where
Oktibbeha forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.425, -88.879 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed dozens of trees across Oktibbeha County. Some trees were down across area roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington

When
April 12, 7:42 PM CST to 7:44 PM CST
Where
Covington County, 1.77 mi SSE of Collins to 0.96 mi WNW of Gandsi
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.605, -89.541

Several reports of an estimated 70 mph winds were observed between Collins and Seminary.

High Wind, Newton

When
April 12, 7:45 PM CST to 8:40 PM CST
Where
Newton forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.400, -89.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed dozens of trees across Newton County. A few trees were down across area roads.

High Wind, Clay

When
April 12, 7:45 PM CST to 8:50 PM CST
Where
Clay forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.656, -88.782 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed several trees across Clay County.

Hail, Jasper

When
April 12, 7:47 PM CST to 7:55 PM CST
Where
Jasper County, 1.73 mi WSW of Stringer to 0.7 mi S of Bay Spgs Thigpen Arp
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.858, -89.296

Flash Flood, Jefferson Davis

When
April 12, 8:00 PM CST to 10:40 PM CST
Where
Jefferson Davis County, 4 mi E of Prentiss to 2.87 mi SE of Prentiss
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.600, -89.812

Numerous roads were flooded across rural parts of the county and in Prentiss. Vehicles were flooded on Highway 13 and one vehicle went off into a flooded creek. Prentiss fire department measured 4.20 inches of rain with 1.32 inches in one hour. Rainfall totals ranged from 4 to 6.5 inches across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jasper

When
April 12, 8:15 PM CST
Where
Jasper County, 5.41 mi W of Heidelberg
Measured
53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.885, -89.092

A few trees were blown down just west of Heidelberg along County Road 31.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jones

When
April 12, 8:23 PM CST to 8:25 PM CST
Where
Jones County, 1.78 mi NNW of Moselle
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
31.525, -89.289

High Wind, Lowndes

When
April 12, 8:30 PM CST to 9:15 PM CST
Where
Lowndes forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.473, -88.443 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed dozens of trees across Lowndes County. Some trees were down across area roads and power lines. One tree was on a house near Caledonia.

Flash Flood, Covington

When
April 12, 8:30 PM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where
Covington County, 2.26 mi W of Mt Olive to 3.34 mi W of Seminary
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$200,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.745, -89.708

Widespread flash flooding occurred across Covington County as 4 to 6.5 inches of rain fell. Water covered Mcdonald Road just south of Collins. Water washed out culverts on Deerman Road just south of Collins. Numerous other roads were flooded across the county. A portion of Highway 49 was covered with high water for a short period of time. Sanford recorded 4.8 inches of rain. A half inch fell in ten minutes.

Flash Flood, Jones

When
April 12, 8:30 PM CST to 10:40 PM CST
Where
Jones County, 2.07 mi WNW of Gitano to 3.68 mi W of (Pib)pine Belt Rgnl
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.778, -89.364

Widespread flash flooding occurred as 4 to 6.5 inches of rain fell across the county. Many roads were flooded across the county with several washed out. A portion of Highway 29 was undermined and was closed for a period of time. Additionally, numerous streets were flooded in and around Laurel.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clarke

When
April 12, 8:33 PM CST to 9:05 PM CST
Where
Clarke County, 3.61 mi SSW of Goodwater to 3.7 mi SSE of Theadville
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.869, -88.883

A number of trees were blown down across the southern part of the county.

High Wind, Noxubee

When
April 12, 8:45 PM CST to 9:30 PM CST
Where
Noxubee forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.110, -88.570 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed several trees across Noxubee County.

High Wind, Kemper

When
April 12, 9:00 PM CST to 9:45 PM CST
Where
Kemper forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.755, -88.641 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed several trees across Kemper County.

High Wind, Lauderdale

When
April 12, 9:10 PM CST to 9:45 PM CST
Where
Lauderdale forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$30,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.404, -88.662 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong easterly winds developed as the back edge of the rain shield pushed east in response to a wake low and rapidly falling pressures. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph downed several trees across Lauderdale County. A measured wind gust of 56 mph was recorded at Key Field in Meridian.

Hail, Marion

When
April 12, 9:25 PM CST
Where
Marion County, Columbia
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.250, -89.830

Flash Flood, Marion

When
April 12, 9:50 PM CST to 10:40 PM CST
Where
Marion County, 0.3 mi ESE of Kokomo to 0.73 mi NNE of Pinebur
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
31.199, -89.995

Widespread heavy rain, between 4 and 6 inches, flooded several roads throughout the county.

Flash Flood, Lamar

When
April 12, 9:50 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where
Lamar County, 1.82 mi N of Hickory Grove to 4.76 mi WSW of Otob
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.426, -89.645

Shears Road flooded in the northeast portion of the county along with several other roads. Rainfall amounts between 4 and 7 inches occurred across portions of the county with 6.7 inches measured in Sumrall.

Thunderstorm Wind, Forrest

When
April 12, 10:03 PM CST to 10:10 PM CST
Where
Forrest County, 0.3 mi SE of Glendale to 1.23 mi NNE of Macedonia
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.367, -89.297

About 13 downed trees were observed from Interstate 59 to the Perry County line. The area was mainly in a line from the Glendale community to the Macedonia and Sunrise communities. An outbuilding had the tin roof torn off. Some trees and power lines were also blown down just north of Petal along Highway 42.

Flash Flood, Forrest

When
April 12, 10:10 PM CST to April 13, 12:40 AM CST
Where
Forrest County, 2.78 mi N of Macedonia to 2.73 mi ENE of (Hbg)hattiesburg Arp
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$400,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.420, -89.175

Numerous roads were flooded in Hattiesburg, which almost flooded some homes. Numerous roads were flooded in the northern portion of the county around Highway 42. Several roads were washed out as well across the northern sections. Rainfall totals ranged from 4 to 6 inches.

Flash Flood, Lamar

When
April 12, 10:45 PM CST to April 13, 12:40 AM CST
Where
Lamar County, 1.81 mi NE of Talowah to 0.69 mi NE of Baxterville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.088, -89.408

Several roads were flooded across the central and southern portion of the county as 4 to 6 inches of rain fell.

Flash Flood, Forrest

When
April 13, 12:20 AM CST to 1:50 AM CST
Where
Forrest County, 1.64 mi SSE of Ragland to 5.02 mi SSE of Brooklyn
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$200,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.198, -89.169

Many roads were flooded along with several washed out across the central portions of Forrest County. Heavy rainfall between 4 and 6 inches fell in a short time and caused all the flooding problems.

Hail, Marion

When
April 13, 2:55 PM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where
Marion County, 0.45 mi SW of Sandy Hook to 3.57 mi E of Pinebur
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.025, -89.825

A swath of penny to quarter sized hail fell across the southern portion of the county. This was a left moving supercell which continued into Lamar County.

Hail, Lamar

When
April 13, 3:13 PM CST to 3:31 PM CST
Where
Lamar County, 4.5 mi NW of Baxterville to 3.96 mi E of Tatums Camps
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
31.129, -89.650

A swath of penny to quarter sized hail fell across portions of western Lamar County. This occurred from the same left moving supercell storm which came out of southern Marion County.

Hail, Forrest

When
April 13, 3:54 PM CST to 4:03 PM CST
Where
Forrest County, 0.67 mi W of Rawls Spgs to 3.01 mi ENE of Eatonville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.381, -89.381

Quarter inch sized hail was discovered near Rawls Springs.

Hail, Lawrence

When
April 13, 4:25 PM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where
Lawrence County, 3.31 mi NW of Grange to 0.5 mi N of New Hebron
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.716, -90.037

Nickel sized hail was spotted near New Hebron.

Hail, Simpson

When
April 13, 5:06 PM CST to 5:15 PM CST
Where
Simpson County, 3.97 mi NE of Magee to 5.36 mi ENE of Martinville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.907, -89.678

Quarter sized hail was observed just southeast of Martinville.

Hail, Smith

When
April 13, 5:15 PM CST to 5:29 PM CST
Where
Smith County, 1.7 mi SSE of Traxler to 2.33 mi WSW of Sandpoint
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.998, -89.637

A swath of penny to quarter sized hail fell across western Smith County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Smith

When
April 13, 5:22 PM CST
Where
Smith County, 1.6 mi NW of Raleigh
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.045, -89.551

A couple trees were blown down along Highway 18 and Martin Lane just west of Raleigh.

Hail, Marion

When
April 13, 6:27 PM CST to 6:34 PM CST
Where
Marion County, 4.29 mi E of Columbia Marion Arpt to 9.43 mi ENE of Columbia Marion Arpt
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.308, -89.748

Hail, Noxubee

When
April 13, 6:43 PM CST to 6:45 PM CST
Where
Noxubee County, 2.3 mi W of Dinsmore
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
33.086, -88.389

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Strong Wind
Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
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.
High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Mississippi in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in Mississippi, April 2009

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: 164939, 164943, 164946, 164948, 164949, 164950, 164951, 164952, 164954, 165983, 165984, 164953, 166382, 165981, 167519, 165980, 166010, 165986, 165993, 167520, 165982, 165988, 165989, 165997, 165987, 165991, 166005, 166007, 166006, 166034, 165990, 166109, 166162, 166037, 165996, 165998, 166003, 166129, 166145, 166157, and more.