Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Mississippi, January 1, 2011

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Mississippi, January 1, 2011
Start: 2011-01-01T00:02
End: 2011-01-01T06:00
Location: Mississippi

January 1, 2011 · NWS JAN · 39 events in 16 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: 3
Property damage: $9.3 million
Crop damage: $2.0 million
Events: 39

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 brought a prolonged outbreak of severe thunderstorms to the Lower Mississippi Valley region from the afternoon hours of New Years Eve lasting through the morning hours of New Years Day. This rare combination of high instability and wind shear is mainly what supported the large outbreak that included multiple strong tornadoes. National Weather Service storm survey teams found 11 total tornadoes that occurred during this event. Of the 11, two were EF-3 and two were EF-2. Six were EF-1 with one EF-0. Damaging straight line winds also brought down numerous trees and large limbs across the area. Large hail also occurred during the event with reports ranging from quarter to golf ball size. In addition, flash flooding was a significant issue across the area. Roads were flooded in several locations, some vehicles were submerged in flood waters, and a few evacuations took place as a result of rising flood waters.

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 Dec 31, 4:04 PM CST, 7 hours 58 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 31, 4:04 PM CST, 7 hours 58 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
404 PM CST FRI DEC 31 2010

..SEVERE WEATHER EVENT ONGOING THIS AFTERNOON AND INTO TONIGHT...

.UPDATE...

THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAN OKLAHOMA HAS ISSUED TORNADO
WATCH NUMBER 773 COVERING THE ENTIRE CWA UNTIL 11 PM. THIS WATCH ALSO
REPLACES THE PREVIOUS WATCH IN EFFECT. DESTABILIZATION CONTINUES
ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA...AS THE LOW-LEVEL MOIST AXIS EXPANDS
EASTWARD ACROSS THE REGION. STRONG DEEP-LAYER AND LOW-LEVEL SHEAR
WILL SUPPORT TORNADIC SUPERCELLS INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS ACROSS THE
ENTIRE CWA...WITH QUASI-LINEAR CONVECTIVE SYSTEMS ALSO CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING TORNADOES AND DAMAGING WINDS. /COHEN/

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 345 PM CST FRI DEC 31 2010/

TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT...
THE RISK FOR SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER IS RAMPING UP ACROSS THE
ARKLAMISS REGION. OVERALL...NWP GUIDANCE HAS BEEN UNDERCUTTING THE
DEGREE OF DESTABILIZATION FOR TODAY...BASED ON COMPARISON TO LATEST
OBSERVATIONS AND RUC ANALYSIS OUTPUT. THE SPECIAL 31/18Z KJAN RAOB
SOUNDING ALREADY SHOWS MUCH OF THE CAPPING INVERSION FROM THIS
MORNING HAVING BEEN ERODED IN RESPONSE TO COOLING IN THE 800-700-MB
LAYER AND SOME SURFACE HEATING. AROUND 600 J/KG OF SBCAPE WAS NOTED
IN THIS SOUNDING...WITH AROUND 30 J/KG OF CONVECTIVE INHIBITION. THIS
IS SHOWN IN THE LATEST RUC MESO-ANALYSIS...WHICH INDICATES A BROAD
ZONE OF POSITIVE BUOYANCY EXTENDING FROM EAST TEXAS ACROSS LOUISIANA
AND SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS AND FURTHER EAST TOWARD THE I-55 CORRIDOR. IN
THIS REGION...LITTLE CONVECTIVE INHIBITION IS NOTED...WITH SBCAPE
VALUES RANGING FROM 1000-2000 J/KG ACROSS SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...SOUTHEAST
ARKANSAS...AND NORTHEAST LOUISIANA. THIS BUOYANCY IS BEING SUPPORTED
BY UNSEASONABLY MOIST SURFACE DEWPOINTS ALREADY IN THE MIDDLE 60S
ACROSS THE SOUTHWESTERN HALF OF THE CWA...WITH READINGS INTO THE
LOWER 70S ACROSS SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA. THE NAM APPEARS TO BEST
INITIALIZE THIS MODERATE DEGREE OF INSTABILITY...AND IS ALSO THE MOST
UNSTABLE MODEL.

AS FOR THE KINEMATICS...STRONG SOUTHWESTERLY MID-LEVEL FLOW ATOP OF
THE MOISTURE/INSTABILITY WEDGE BUILDING OVER THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI
VALLEY REGION IS CHARACTERIZED BY H5 SPEEDS OF 50-60 KT. THIS IS
SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE BULK SHEAR MAGNITUDES OF 50-60 KT IN THIS
REGION...WHERE THE SIGNIFICANT SEVERE PARAMETER RANGES FROM 20-30
AND THE SUPERCELL COMPOSITE PARAMETER RANGES FROM 6-12...WITH THE
HIGHEST VALUES ACROSS THE FAR SOUTHWEST. THESE PARAMETERS CONTINUE
TO SUPPORT A MULTI-MODAL CONVECTION OVER NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...WHERE
CONVECTION HAS EXHIBITED BOTH SUPERCELLULAR AND MULTICELLULAR
CHARACTERISTICS. THE LACK OF CONVECTIVE INHIBITION HAS MOSTLY KEPT
THE CONVECTION FROM REMAINING DISCRETE...THOUGH INDIVIDUAL UPDRAFTS
APPEAR TO BE SPATIALLY SEPARATED SUFFICIENTLY FOR LITTLE
OBSTRUCTION TO MOIST/UNSTABLE INFLOW. THUS...CONVECTION HAS MADE
SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT DEEPER ROTATION. UPON COORDINATION WITH THE
STORM PREDICTION CENTER...TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 772 HAS BEEN
EXPANDED NORTHWARD ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND NORTHEASTWARD
INTO THE JACKSON METRO AREA BASED ON THE SPATIAL EXPANSION OF THE
GREATER INSTABILITY AND PERSISTENTLY STRONG LOW-LEVEL WIND SHEAR.

HOWEVER...AS WE HEAD LATER INTO THE LATE AFTERNOON AND
EVENING...DEEP-LAYER Q-VECTOR CONVERGENCE WILL INCREASE FROM WEST TO
EAST AHEAD OF A LARGE AND POWERFUL STORM SYSTEM OVER THE
MID-SECTION OF THE CONUS. MEANWHILE...A SURFACE COLD FRONT EXTENDS
FROM CENTRAL ARKANSAS ACROSS NORTHWEST LOUISIANA INTO SOUTHEAST
TEXAS...AND IS FORECAST TO PROGRESS EASTWARD THIS AFTERNOON AND REACH
THE NORTHWEST CWA AROUND 6 PM. AS THE FRONT MOVES ACROSS THE
REGION...IT WILL DECELERATE AS IT APPROACHES DEEP-LAYER RIDGING
ENTRENCHED ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST CONUS. AHEAD OF THE FRONT...CONTINUED
MOISTURE ADVECTION AND DESTABILIZATION WILL MAINTAIN A ZONE OF
MODERATE INSTABILITY...WHERE STRONG DEEP-LAYER SHEAR WILL PERSIST.
0-1 KM STORM-RELATIVE HELICITY VALUES THROUGH TONIGHT ARE EXPECTED TO
RANGE FROM 150-300 M2/S2...WHICH WILL SUPPORT STRONG LOW-LEVEL
ROTATION WITH ANY PREFRONTAL DISCRETE CONVECTION OR ANY QUASI-LINEAR
CONVECTIVE SYSTEM THAT EVOLVES NEAR THE COLD FRONT. AS
SUCH...TORNADOES...SOME STRONG...WILL REMAIN A DEFINITE CONCERN
THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT...ALONG WITH DAMAGING STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS OF
60-80 MPH AND HAIL TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS. LOCAL HIGH-RES WRF
GUIDANCE SUGGESTS THE POTENTIAL FOR SUPERCELLS...BOWING LINE
SEGMENTS...AND MULTICELLULAR CONVECTION ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT...WITH
THE ATTENDANT RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER.

AS THE BOUNDARY SLOWS DOWN...AND MOISTURE POOLS NORTHWARD AHEAD OF
IT...THE POTENTIAL FOR TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL INCREASE AS
CONVECTIVE TRAINING EVOLVES THROUGH THE NIGHT. MODELS INDICATE QPF
AMOUNTS ANYWHERE FROM 2-4 INCHES ALONG AND SOUTHEAST OF THE NATCHEZ
TRACE PARKWAY...WHERE THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES TONIGHT.
RAINFALL TOTALS COULD REACH 6 INCHES...AS PWAT VALUES REACH THE
90-95 PERCENTILE RANGE...WITH A DEEP TROPICAL MOISTURE CONNECTION.

SHOWERS AND STORMS WILL GRADUALLY TAPER OFF FROM NORTHWEST TO
SOUTHEAST ON NEW YEARS DAY...AS DRIER AND COLDER AIR FILTER INTO THE
REGION. AS FOR OTHER FORECAST MATTERS...POPS TODAY AND TONIGHT WERE
RAISED WELL ABOVE MAV GUIDANCE BASED ON LATEST SREF AND HIGH-RES WRF
RUNS. TEMPS TONIGHT WERE INCREASED ABOVE MAV GUIDANCE GIVEN THAT
SLOWER FRONTAL MOTION IS EXPECTED COMPARED TO THAT DEPICTED BY THE
GFS.

EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO MONITOR THE LATEST INFORMATION FROM THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON TODAY INTO TONIGHT...AS THIS
SYSTEM WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE WIDESPREAD...SIGNIFICANT
SEVERE WEATHER DURING THIS NEW YEARS EVE. /COHEN/ALLEN/

SUNDAY THROUGH NEXT FRIDAY...MODELS HAVE COME IN DRIER
FOR THE LONG TERM BUT AGREE THAT RAIN CHANCES WILL RETURN TO THE
SOUTHERN PORTIONS BY TUESDAY. COME SUNDAY MORNING MODELS AGREE THAT
COLD FRONT AND ASSOCIATED PRECIPITATION WILL BE WELL SOUTH OF OUR
AREA. THE AXIS OF THE UPPER LEVEL TROUGH WILL STILL BE WEST OF OUR
CWA AND A 1030MB+ SURFACE HIGH IS PROGGED TO BE CENTERED NEAR THE
RED RIVER VALLEY. THE UPPER LEVEL TROUGH AXIS WILL SHIFT EAST OF OUR
CWA DURING THE DAY AND THE SURFACE HIGH WILL SHIFT EAST AND BECOME
CENTERED OVER THE ARKLAMISS BY SUNDAY EVENING. THIS WILL SETUP WHAT
IS EXPECTED TO BE THE COLDEST NIGHT OF THE PERIOD. UNDER NEAR FULL
RADIATIONAL COOLING OF OUR COOL DRY AIRMASS MONDAY MORNING LOWS WILL
BOTTOM OUT IN THE MID 20S AT MOST LOCATIONS. NEAR ZONAL FLOW ALOFT
IS EXPECTED OVER OUR REGION MONDAY AND THE SURFACE HIGH WILL SHIFT
EAST OF OUR CWA AND TO THE CAROLINAS BY TUESDAY. THIS WILL RESULT IN
THE BEGINNING OF A SLOW MODERATION OF TEMPERATURES FOR US. BY
TUESDAY THOUGH ANOTHER CLOSED LOW WILL HAVE DEVELOPED OVER JUST OFF
THE COAST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. THIS WILL RESULT IN OUR FLOW ALOFT
BACKING TO THE SOUTHWEST AND BRING A SERIES OF SUBTLE DISTURBANCES
ACROSS OUR REGION. ONE SUCH DISTURBANCE IS EXPECTED TO HELP DEVELOP
A WAVE ALONG THE OLD FRONTAL BOUNDARY NEAR THE GULF COAST. BOTH THE
GFS AND ECMWF SHOW LIGHT RAIN TRYING TO SPREAD NORTH INTO OUR
SOUTHERN ZONES BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON. THE MAV GUIDANCE CAME IN A
LITTLE TOO HIGH OVER OUR NORTHERN ZONES SO HAVE CUT POPS ACROSS THE
NORTHERN HALF TUESDAY. AS THE DISTURBANCE PASSES ALL PRECIPITATION
IS EXPECTED TO END BY TUESDAY EVENING. THE SURFACE HIGH TO OUR EAST
WILL DRIFT SOUTH OVER FLORIDA WEDNESDAY RESULTING IN A LIGHT RETURN
FLOW OVER OUR CWA. THE OLD STALLED FRONTAL BOUNDARY ALONG THE GULF
COAST WILL BEGIN DRIFTING NORTH. THERE WILL BE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF
LIGHT RAIN IN THE SOUTHERN MOST ZONES WEDNESDAY BUT MOST OF THE AREA
WILL BE DRY AND SEE ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES BACK IN THE 60S. BOTH
THE GFS AND ECMWF SHOW ANOTHER MORE POTENT SOUTHERN STREAM SHORTWAVE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY. CLOUDS WILL BE ON THE INCREASE AND
RAIN IS EXPECTED TO MOVE BACK OVER MUCH OF THE AREA THURSDAY. THE
CLOSED LOW OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS THE DESERT
SOUTHWEST THURSDAY AS WELL. THE CLOSED LOW IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE
MOVING EAST THROUGH FRIDAY AND OPEN UP OVER THE SOUTHERN PLAINS. AT
THE SAME TIME A COUPLE OF NORTHERN STREAM SHORTWAVES WILL COME INTO
PHASE OVER THE PLAINS THURSDAY NIGHT AND HELP DEEPEN A TROUGH THAT
WILL SEND COOL DRY AIR OUR WAY FROM THE NORTH ON FRIDAY. THE GFS
SHIFTS THE BULK OF THE PCPN SOUTH OF OUR CWA FRIDAY WHILE THE ECMWF
SHOWS SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN POSSIBLE ACROSS THE SOUTHERN HALF OF
OUR CWA. HAVE LEANED TOWARD THE WETTER SCENARIO FOR NOW. /22/

&&

.AVIATION...

BROKEN CEILINGS MOSTLY 1-3K FEET ALONG WITH GUSTY SSE
FLOW UP TO 24KTS WILL KEEP MVFR CONDITIONS AND LOWER GOING AHEAD OF
FRONTAL BOUNDARY APPROACHING FROM THE W. SCATTERED SHRA/ISOLATED TSRA
WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE 20-06Z WITH A FEW SEVERE TSRA GETTING MORE
LIKELY(INCL WIND GUSTS OF 60-70KTS). OTHERWISE...IFR CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED CONTROL TONIGHT WITH FRONT ITSELF CROSSING MS RIVER
00-03Z...I-55 AXIS 03-06Z...THEN I-59 AXIS 07-11Z. CONDITIONS SHOULD
STEADILY IMPROVE TO MVFR CEILINGS ABOUT 2-3HRS BEHIND THE FRONT AND
THEN VFR BY ABOUT 15-18Z SATURDAY./40/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
JACKSON       56  60  34  54 / 100  58  14   3
MERIDIAN      62  65  34  55 / 100  83  23   4
VICKSBURG     50  61  31  54 /  94  43  13   3
HATTIESBURG   62  67  40  59 / 100  77  24   8
NATCHEZ       54  59  35  54 / 100  43  14   5
GREENVILLE    48  58  30  49 /  76  36  13   2
GREENWOOD     50  59  30  51 / 100  49  13   2

&&

.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR MSZ031-038-039-
     043>046-048>066-072>074.

LA...NONE.
AR...NONE.
&&

COHEN

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 31, 3:15 PM CST, 8 hours 47 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
315 PM CST FRI DEC 31 2010

ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026-MSZ018-019-025>066-072>074-
012200-
ASHLEY-CHICOT-MOREHOUSE-WEST CARROLL-EAST CARROLL-RICHLAND-
MADISON LA-FRANKLIN LA-CATAHOULA-TENSAS-CONCORDIA-BOLIVAR-
SUNFLOWER-LEFLORE-GRENADA-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-WEBSTER-CLAY-LOWNDES-
CHOCTAW-OKTIBBEHA-WASHINGTON-HUMPHREYS-HOLMES-ATTALA-WINSTON-
NOXUBEE-ISSAQUENA-SHARKEY-YAZOO-MADISON MS-LEAKE-NESHOBA-KEMPER-
WARREN-HINDS-RANKIN-SCOTT-NEWTON-LAUDERDALE-CLAIBORNE-COPIAH-
SIMPSON-SMITH-JASPER-CLARKE-JEFFERSON-ADAMS-FRANKLIN MS-LINCOLN-
LAWRENCE-JEFFERSON DAVIS-COVINGTON-JONES-MARION-LAMAR-FORREST-
315 PM CST FRI DEC 31 2010

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

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND SATURDAY

SCATTERED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP
ACROSS THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE INTO TONIGHT IN THE
UNSEASONABLY WARM...MOIST...AND UNSTABLE AIRMASS AHEAD OF A COLD
FRONT. ONE OR MORE LINES OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS COULD ALSO ORGANIZE
NEAR THE FRONT AND MOVE EASTWARD ACROSS THE REGION OVERNIGHT
TONIGHT. WIDESPREAD SEVERE WEATHER WILL BECOME POSSIBLE TONIGHT IF
THESE LINES OF STORMS DEVELOP.

TORNADOES...INCLUDING A FEW STRONG TORNADOES...DAMAGING STRAIGHT-
LINE WINDS OF 60 TO 80 MPH...QUARTER-SIZE HAIL...ALONG WITH VERY
HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALL BE POSSIBLE WITH THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. THE POTENTIAL FOR FLASH FLOODING WILL
INCREASE TONIGHT ALONG AND SOUTHEAST OF THE NATCHEZ TRACE
PARKWAY...WHERE SEVERAL ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE.
RAINFALL TOTALS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES...WITH LOCAL AMOUNTS TO 6
INCHES...WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THIS REGION.

SEVERE STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE ANY TIME FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH
TONIGHT AND INTO EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

THIS SYSTEM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE WIDESPREAD...SIGNIFICANT
SEVERE WEATHER AND VERY HEAVY RAINFALL ACROSS THE ARKLAMISS REGION
THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY MONRING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

THE PROBABILITY FOR 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 IS NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING.

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

COHEN

In the hours before

Local storm report, Dec 31, 6:34 PM CST, 5 hours 28 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
634 PM CST FRI DEC 31 2010

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

0512 PM     TORNADO          PEARL                   32.27N 90.11W
12/31/2010                   RANKIN             MS   BROADCAST MEDIA

            ROOF DAMAGE TO KROGER STORE REPORTED BY TELEVISION
            STATION

&&

Local storm report, Dec 31, 6:36 PM CST, 5 hours 26 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
636 PM CST FRI DEC 31 2010

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

0525 PM     TORNADO          FLOWOOD                 32.32N 90.11W
12/31/2010                   RANKIN             MS   NWS EMPLOYEE

            TREES DOWN ON THE WEST SIDE OF AIRPORT ROAD

&&

Local storm report, Dec 31, 6:42 PM CST, 5 hours 20 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
642 PM CST FRI DEC 31 2010

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

0642 PM     FLASH FLOOD      JACKSON                 32.32N 90.21W
12/31/2010                   HINDS              MS   BROADCAST MEDIA

            SEVERAL STREETS FLOODED IN THE CITY OF JACKSON. MULTIPLE
            REPORTS OF PEOPLE TRAPPED IN VEHICLES.

&&

DL

Local storm report, Dec 31, 6:54 PM CST, 5 hours 8 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
654 PM CST FRI DEC 31 2010

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

0649 PM     FLASH FLOOD      3 NNW BRANDON           32.33N 90.02W
12/31/2010                   RANKIN             MS   TRAINED SPOTTER

            FLASH FLOODING WAS REPORTED ALONG RIVER BEND DR ON THE
            NORTH SIDE OF BRANDON.

&&

DL

Local storm report, Dec 31, 7:07 PM CST, 4 hours 55 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
707 PM CST FRI DEC 31 2010

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

0656 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 N BRANDON             32.30N 90.01W
12/31/2010                   RANKIN             MS   TRAINED SPOTTER

            FLASH FLOODING WAS REPORTED AT THE INTERSECTION OF
            LUCKNEY RD AND CAINE CIR.

&&

DL

Local storm report, Dec 31, 10:35 PM CST, 1 hour 27 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
1035 PM CST FRI DEC 31 2010

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

0810 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 NNW LOYD STAR         31.65N 90.56W
12/31/2010                   LINCOLN            MS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            A HOME IN THE LOYD STAR COMMUNITY WAS PUSHED OFF ITS
            FOUNDATION. THE HOMES FOUNDATION WAS ON PILLARS.

&&

The radar

The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 86 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:03 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

17 flash flood, 13 thunderstorm wind, 8 tornado, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Attala

When: January 1, 12:02 AM CST to 12:26 AM CST
Where: Attala County, 1.22 mi ENE of Boyette to 7 mi N of Ethel
Rating: EF3
Path length: 23.45 mi
Path width: 1,300 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $3.0 million
Crop damage: $2.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.039, -89.812

The tornado began in the vicinity of State Highway 12, east southeast of Durant. The tornado moved roughly east-northeast, initially producing damage of EF1 intensity to trees, and damaging the roof of at least one home. As the tornado approached State Highway 19, it intensified and began causing extensive tree damage, snapping and uprooting hundreds of trees. After crossing Highway 19, it caused extensive damage to a church conference center, heavily damaging the roof of the main church building and causing major damage to several camp buildings. In this area, the tornado also caused significant roof damage to several homes and destroyed a number of outbuildings. From here, the tornado continued east northeast, continuing to cause major tree damage as it crossed state Highway 35 at Hesterville. As a wide, strong tornado moving through a heavily forested area, this tornado was a major destroyer of timber, snapping or uprooting thousands of trees. The tornado eventually weakened and dissipated to the north of Ethel. There were two injuries north northeast of the Sallis Community. Additionally, several vehicles were damaged near Sallis. Maximum winds were around 145 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Simpson

When: January 1, 12:12 AM CST
Where: Simpson County, 2.15 mi SSE of Braxton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.020, -89.970

A few trees were blown down near Braxton.

Flash Flood, Holmes

When: January 1, 12:25 AM CST to 12:45 AM CST
Where: Holmes County, 1 mi N of Durant to 1.15 mi ENE of Durant
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 33.094, -89.869

Several streets were flooded in the city of Durant.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: January 1, 12:27 AM CST
Where: Madison County, 0.9 mi NW of Sharon
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.660, -89.940

A tree and a power line were blown down.

Flash Flood, Webster

When: January 1, 12:30 AM CST to 1:00 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 2.82 mi SSW of Bellefontaine to 2.78 mi SSW of Bellefontaine
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.610, -89.330

Heavy rainfall of between 3 and 4 inches caused a road west of Walthall to go under water for a period of time.

Flash Flood, Madison

When: January 1, 12:35 AM CST to 1:00 AM CST
Where: Madison County, 3.02 mi NW of Canton to 1.65 mi S of Cedar Hill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.646, -90.071

Street flooding was reported in the city of Canton. Rice Road in Madison also flooded.

Tornado, Choctaw

When: January 1, 12:40 AM CST to 12:41 AM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 1.04 mi WSW of Weir to 0.47 mi SW of Weir
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.61 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $65,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.263, -89.296

The tornado developed just southwest of Weir and impacted the south parts of the community. The first observed damage was several large pines snapped in the yard of a house. A tree fell on the house and significant roof damage occurred. The tornado continued northeast, snapping and uprooting several more pine trees. As it crossed Main Street, along with tree damage, it also blew the skirting off a mobile home, and caused shingle and other minor roof damage to a church. The tornado then crossed Highway 407, and just east of the highway it caused shingle, skirting, and other minor wind damage to a mobile home, blew the roof off a shed, and snapped several hardwood trees. The tornado dissipated just northeast of this location. Maximum winds were around 95 mph.

Tornado, Choctaw

When: January 1, 12:46 AM CST to 12:53 AM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 2.5 mi ENE of Weir to 3.5 mi SE of Ackerman
Rating: EF1
Path length: 6.52 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.284, -89.240

This tornado snapped and uprooted a number of pine trees along a narrow path. A couple of small outbuildings also had some roof damage. Maximum winds were 90 mph.

Flash Flood, Attala

When: January 1, 1:05 AM CST to 1:34 AM CST
Where: Attala County, 2.15 mi SSE of Mc Cool to 2.55 mi SSE of Mc Cool
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.170, -89.340

Due to locally heavy rainfall, a few roads were reported to be under water and a portion of Highway 411 was closed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: January 1, 1:08 AM CST
Where: Scott County, 0.69 mi N of Steel
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.490, -89.430

A few trees were blown down along King Road and Highway 21.

Tornado, Oktibbeha

When: January 1, 1:15 AM CST to 1:18 AM CST
Where: Oktibbeha County, 0.76 mi NE of Starkville Bryan Arp to 1.89 mi SSE of Starkville
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.29 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Property damage: $3.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.439, -88.842

The tornado began near the south side of the Starkville Airport. As the tornado moved along Miley and Industrial Park Roads, it downed several trees, peeled back the roof and blew in the overhead door on a metal commercial building, and pushed over a semi-trailer. The tornado then crossed the Starkville Sportsplex, blowing over a number of soccer goals and dugouts, and damaging some fencing. The tornado then moved across a couple of apartment complexes along Lynn Lane, where it did its most intense damage. It removed the entire roofing structure of one apartment building, and blew the facade off another building. A number of apartment buildings suffered shingle or fascia damage. After causing this damage, the tornado moved across Louisville Road near the intersection with Academy Road. It blew off part of the roof of a carwash near this intersection, and also caused minor roof and gutter damage to a church. The tornado moved along Academy Road, downing some powerlines and causing some minor roof damage before dissipating. The Starkville ASOS had a wind gust of 52 mph. Maximum winds in the tornado were estimated at 95 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neshoba

When: January 1, 1:20 AM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 1.16 mi E of Hope
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.750, -89.230

Trees were blown down along Mississippi Highway 488.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neshoba

When: January 1, 1:22 AM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 1.85 mi NE of Neville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.601, -89.230

A few pine trees were blown down across County Road 210 between County Roads 109 and 301.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neshoba

When: January 1, 1:25 AM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 1.5 mi NNE of Dixon
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.690, -89.210

Power lines were blown down along Country Road 412 and Country Road 359.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neshoba

When: January 1, 1:25 AM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 1.81 mi SE of Deemer
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.730, -89.110

Trees were blown down south of Philadelphia.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neshoba

When: January 1, 1:25 AM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 0.9 mi NW of Deemer
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.760, -89.140

A fireworks tent was blown down along with the awning of M & S Furniture.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neshoba

When: January 1, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 1.88 mi WNW of Ocobla
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.760, -89.060

Trees were blown down along Mississippi Highway 486.

Thunderstorm Wind, Smith

When: January 1, 1:39 AM CST
Where: Smith County, 0.91 mi NE of Polkville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.190, -89.690

A few trees were blown down around Polkville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lowndes

When: January 1, 1:47 AM CST
Where: Lowndes County, 1.15 mi E of Flynn
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 33.530, -88.430

A tree and a few power lines were blown down northwest of Columbus.

Tornado, Kemper

When: January 1, 2:00 AM CST to 2:07 AM CST
Where: Kemper County, 2.17 mi N of Kellis Store to 5.94 mi NE of Kellis Store
Rating: EF2
Path length: 4.61 mi
Path width: 860 yd
Continued into: Noxubee, Ms (JAN)
Property damage: $600,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.901, -88.767

The tornado began near Kellis Store Road where several soft and hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado continued northeast to Weaver Sciples Mill Road where it took the roof off of a home along with a couple of load bearing walls. Numerous hardwood and softwood trees were also snapped at this location. Across the street, a portion of a roof was taken off and a shed was also destroyed. The tornado continued northeast and crossed into Noxubee County where it caused significant damage along Gholson Road. One home sustained roof damage and windows were blown out. In addition, numerous hardwood and softwood trees were snapped. Two outbuildings were also destroyed at this location. Across the street, a well built garage was destroyed along with significant damage to a couple of other outbuildings. Trees were blown down and a shop was damaged along Gholson Road. Maximum winds were around 125 mph. Total path length across both Kemper and Noxubee Counties was 6 miles.

Tornado, Noxubee

When: January 1, 2:07 AM CST to 2:09 AM CST
Where: Noxubee County, 2.15 mi E of Gholson to 3.45 mi E of Gholson
Rating: EF2
Path length: 1.46 mi
Path width: 860 yd
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.927, -88.693

Flash Flood, Oktibbeha

When: January 1, 2:15 AM CST to 2:35 AM CST
Where: Oktibbeha County, 1.26 mi WSW of Patrick to 1.59 mi SW of Starkville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.474, -88.801

Some streets were flooded in Starkville.

Flash Flood, Neshoba

When: January 1, 2:15 AM CST to 3:30 AM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 0.58 mi E of Philadelphia to 0.2 mi NE of Philadelphia
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.770, -89.110

Flooding had occurred over Main and Beacon streets in front of Walmart. Some roads were closed. One car was disabled by flood waters. Rainfall at the 911 center was 2.42 inches.

Flash Flood, Scott

When: January 1, 2:20 AM CST to 3:00 AM CST
Where: Scott County, 2.28 mi WSW of Independence to 3.15 mi WSW of Independence
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.268, -89.707

A large section of Coopeville Road was washed out.

Tornado, Noxubee

When: January 1, 2:25 AM CST to 2:41 AM CST
Where: Noxubee County, 2.72 mi S of Mc Leod to 0.29 mi WSW of Aubrey
Rating: EF3
Path length: 9.63 mi
Path width: 1,330 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $1.5 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.061, -88.464

Initial damage was numerous snapped hard and softwood trees along E. Spann Road. The tornado moved northeast and caused significant damage to a dairy farm on Paulette Road. Numerous buildings were destroyed including a barn, a milk house, a silo, and a mobile home. The tornado also uprooted large trees and snapped several power poles. A horse trailer tumbled for approximately 100 yards. Debris was scattered approximately one mile to the northeast. The tornado continued on and destroyed a metal farm building and an office off of Stan Tabor Road and also pushed an 18 wheeler approximately 25 yards. The second story of a home was destroyed along with a metal building just off of Hwy 14. Numerous trees were snapped at this location with one tree being completely debarked.

The tornado continued on and destroyed some metal buildings at a pig farm and also overturned a pivot. A barn was destroyed along with roof damage to a home along Stoke Williams Road. The tornado ended near Koehn Road where a few trees were snapped. The tornado was rated EF-3 based on the damage to the dairy farm and the metal building off of Stan Tabor Road. The remainder of the damage was generally EF-1 in nature. Maximum winds were around 140 mph.

Flash Flood, Neshoba

When: January 1, 2:30 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 2.15 mi SSE of Ocobla to 2.81 mi S of Ocobla
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.720, -89.020

Flooding was reported on County Road 529 in the Bloomfield community.

Flash Flood, Simpson

When: January 1, 2:30 AM CST to 4:45 AM CST
Where: Simpson County, 1.62 mi E of Touchstone to 2.71 mi ENE of Touchstone
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.997, -90.023

Due to locally heavy rain, a portion of Harrisville-Braxton Road was under water.

Flash Flood, Rankin

When: January 1, 2:30 AM CST to 3:00 AM CST
Where: Rankin County, 3.27 mi SSE of Rankin to 3.35 mi SSE of Rankin
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 32.240, -89.890

A portion of Shiloh Road was flooded.

Flash Flood, Lowndes

When: January 1, 2:40 AM CST to 4:15 AM CST
Where: Lowndes County, 1.13 mi ENE of Interstate City to 1.44 mi NNE of Columbus/Lowndes Co
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.508, -88.383

Some roads were flooded across the county.

Tornado, Kemper

When: January 1, 2:56 AM CST to 3:09 AM CST
Where: Kemper County, 0.49 mi SW of Damascus to 2 mi SW of De Kalb
Rating: EF1
Path length: 11.06 mi
Path width: 440 yd
Property damage: $110,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.665, -88.835

This tornado touched down 13 miles southwest of De Kalb and produced a path of damage for 11 miles. Along the path, a roof was blown off a wood frame house and several other homes had minor shingle damage. Numerous outbuildings were either severely damaged or destroyed. Numerous hardwood and softwood trees were snapped and uprooted along the path of the storm. Maximum winds were around 105 mph.

Flash Flood, Noxubee

When: January 1, 3:00 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where: Noxubee County, 2.22 mi SW of Macon Muni Arpt to 2.06 mi SW of Macon Muni Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.110, -88.560

Some roads were flooded in the city of Macon. Several cars were stalled due to the flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neshoba

When: January 1, 3:03 AM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 3 mi SSW of Ocobla
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.710, -89.050

Power lines were blown down in the Tucker Community.

Flash Flood, Scott

When: January 1, 3:30 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where: Scott County, 2.38 mi NNE of Stage to 2.22 mi SSW of Kalem
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.310, -89.610

Water had covered the west bound lanes of Interstate 20 near mile marker 80.

Flash Flood, Scott

When: January 1, 3:30 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where: Scott County, 1.35 mi ENE of Damascus to 1.2 mi SW of Sebastopol
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.560, -89.360

A foot of water was reported over Mississippi Highway 21 at Mississippi Highway 492 near Sebastopol.

Flash Flood, Scott

When: January 1, 3:30 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where: Scott County, 1.29 mi S of Morton to 1.14 mi ESE of Kalem
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.331, -89.669

Several roads were flooded across the county. A few residents were evacuated in the cities of Forest and Morton.

Flash Flood, Kemper

When: January 1, 3:30 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where: Kemper County, 4.87 mi N of Keysville to 5.22 mi NE of De Kalb
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.820, -88.590

Portions of Old Scooba Road were flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lauderdale

When: January 1, 3:42 AM CST
Where: Lauderdale County, 0.9 mi SE of Collinsville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.490, -88.840

Some trees were blown down in Collinsville.

Flash Flood, Kemper

When: January 1, 3:45 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where: Kemper County, 2.42 mi ENE of Kellis Store to 3.14 mi ENE of Kellis Store
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.880, -88.730

A portion of Sciples Mill and Thomas Mill Pond Roads were flooded.

Heavy Rain, Jasper

When: January 1, 4:45 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Jasper County, 0.59 mi E of Stringer
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.870, -89.260

Measured 2.3 inches of rain in just over an hour at Stringer.

What these are

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.
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.
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.
Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Mississippi in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Mississippi, 2011 Warnings in Mississippi, January 2011

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: 272481, 272507, 272519, 278700, 272520, 272521, 272666, 272674, 272679, 272688, 272701, 272705, 272706, 272707, 272708, 272709, 272711, 272713, 272714, 272715, 278710, 272712, 272716, 272718, 272720, 272717, 272719, 272721, 272722, 272723, 272725, 272726, 272727, 272728, 272729, 272732, 272730, 272731, 272733.