Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Mississippi, February 5 to 6, 2020

Flash flooding due to a dam break along Lyon Creek to the intersection with county road 14.

Quarter size hail fell in Wesson.

This tornado touched down in a pasture just west of Highway 541 where a few trees were uprooted. Very minor tree damage was noted initially as it crossed roads and just past Highway 540. Damage increased as it crossed Cole Road where a few more trees were uprooted. As the tornado approached and crossed Bill Collins Road, it increased and reached peak intensity of EF1 with 100 mph. Here, multiple hardwood trees were uprooted. Two homes sustained moderate roof damage along with one shed having nearly all of the tin torn off the roof. In this area, a home had a large window blown out and a car port destroyed. In the carport a car was rolled along with an RV and each vehicle was destroyed. Additional trees were uprooted and snapped just to the north of Highway 540. Along Vera Drive. a mobile home was pushed off the blocks, had the front porch blown away, and had multiple trees damaged. The tornado lifted just east of there before the Smith County line. Max sustained winds were 100 mph.

Hail larger than quarters fell along Highway 61 between Valley Park and Redwood.

The tornado starting point was confirmed by drone footage just west of Bienville National Forest Road 527. It moved northeast, snapping and uprooting multiple trees in a convergent pattern as it crossed this road. Tree damage ramped up considerably just east of this location, with more considerable tree fall as the tornado crossed Bienville National Forest Road 527-D, including a high percentage of snapped softwood trees and a few snapped hardwoods. In a previously-cleared forest area to the north of this road, nearly all of the dead trees that had remained standing were snapped within and along the tornado path. The road was blocked by numerous downed trees. Footage from a drone showed a well-defined vortex pattern in the fallen trees in this vicinity. The tornado weakened as it crossed Mississippi Highway 35 north of Shongelo Lake and Smith County Road 120, where just a few trees were uprooted. It uprooted a few more trees along Government Road, including one that blocked the roadway, before lifting. Max sustained winds were 115 mph.

This storm tracked through mostly rural and wooded areas of Yazoo County. The tornado touched down near Anding Oil City Road. The tornado was at its strongest first along Anding Oil City Road before crossing Old Anding Road and moved northeast over Old Mississippi 49 before crossing Highway 49. When crossing Fletchers Chapel Road, it destroyed a shed and caused minor shingle damage to a residential home. It then continued across Neely, Kirk and Old Dover Roads, causing tree damage, including uprooted and snapped trees. The tornado again intensified back up to the strongest as it crossed Old Dover Road. The tornado weakened before lifting near the intersection of Paradise and Green Roads, causing some minor tree damage. A majority of the damage noted was numerous uprooted and snapped trees all along the path. Max sustained winds were 93 mph.

A tree was blown down onto a house along Streamline Drive.

Dime to quarter size hail fell near the intersection of Highway 49 and Highway 16.

This tornado touched down in the Vaughan community near Bennett Road and tracked generally northeast to Pickens and then into southwest Attala County. Initial damage was numerous snapped and uprooted trees and a few power lines down. The tornado grew in size and became a bit stronger as it tracked along and just north of Pepper Wilson Road. In addition to the tree damage, several outbuildings were damaged along with a dozen or so houses sustaining some degree of roof damage. The tornado crossed I-55 then basically traveled along Vaughan Road as it approached the south side of Pickens. All along this portion of the path, hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted and several power poles were leaning. Closer to Pickens, the tornado intensified and reached EF2. Significant tree damage was noted just to the south of the road. One large metal storage shed was destroyed along with several power lines and poles down. The tornado stayed just south of downtown Pickens and crossed US Highway 51 where many more trees were uprooted and snapped along with a large section of power lines down. At the natural gas pumping station, a large metal building had some of the walls pulled out. The tornado then moved into the Big Black River bottom and into southwest Attala County, where tree damage continued as was reported by the property owner. The tornado then moved out of the river bottom area and destroyed a large hay barn and then snapped 6 power poles along County Road 4002. Significant tree damage also occurred here to a grove of hardwood trees. An EF2 rating was given for this part of the path as well. The tornado continued northeast and crossed a few locations along Highway 14. A few homes sustained roof damage here along with power lines down and numerous trees damaged. The tornado made a more eastward jog then dissipated along Highway 14. Max sustained winds were 112 mph. Total path length 18.83 miles.

Metal roofing was ripped off of home.

This tornado touched down in the Vaughan community near Bennett Road and tracked generally northeast to Pickens and then into southwest Attala County. Initial damage was numerous snapped and uprooted trees and a few power lines down. The tornado grew in size and became a bit stronger as it tracked along and just north of Pepper Wilson Road. In addition to the tree damage, several outbuildings were damaged along with a dozen or so houses sustaining some degree of roof damage. The tornado crossed I-55 then basically traveled along Vaughan Road as it approached the south side of Pickens. All along this portion of the path, hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted and several power poles were leaning. Closer to Pickens, the tornado intensified and reached EF2. Significant tree damage was noted just to the south of the road. One large metal storage shed was destroyed along with several power lines and poles down. The tornado stayed just south of downtown Pickens and crossed US Highway 51 where many more trees were uprooted and snapped along with a large section of power lines down. At the natural gas pumping station, a large metal building had some of the walls pulled out. The tornado then moved into the Big Black River bottom, clipping portions of Holmes County and into southwest Attala County, where tree damage continued as was reported by the property owner. The tornado then moved out of the river bottom area and destroyed a large hay barn and then snapped 6 power poles along County Road 4002. Significant tree damage also occurred here to a grove of hardwood trees. An EF2 rating was given for this part of the path as well. The tornado continued northeast and crossed a few locations along Highway 14. A few homes sustained roof damage here along with power lines down and numerous trees damaged. The tornado made a more eastward jog then dissipated along Highway 14. Max sustained winds were 112 mph. Total path length 18.83 miles. Max width was 900 yards in both Yazoo and Attala counties.

This tornado touched down in the Vaughan community near Bennett Road and tracked generally northeast to Pickens and then into southwest Attala County. Initial damage was numerous snapped and uprooted trees and a few power lines down. The tornado grew in size and became a bit stronger as it tracked along and just north of Pepper Wilson Road. In addition to the tree damage, several outbuildings were damaged along with a dozen or so houses sustaining some degree of roof damage. The tornado crossed I-55 then basically traveled along Vaughan Road as it approached the south side of Pickens. All along this portion of the path, hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted and several power poles were leaning. Closer to Pickens, the tornado intensified and reached EF2. Significant tree damage was noted just to the south of the road. One large metal storage shed was destroyed along with several power lines and poles down. The tornado stayed just south of downtown Pickens and crossed US Highway 51 where many more trees were uprooted and snapped along with a large section of power lines down. At the natural gas pumping station, a large metal building had some of the walls pulled out. The tornado then moved into the Big Black River bottom and into southwest Attala County, where tree damage continued as was reported by the property owner. The tornado then moved out of the river bottom area and destroyed a large hay barn and then snapped 6 power poles along County Road 4002. Significant tree damage also occurred here to a grove of hardwood trees. An EF2 rating was given for this part of the path as well. The tornado continued northeast and crossed a few locations along Highway 14. A few homes sustained roof damage here along with power lines down and numerous trees damaged. The tornado made a more eastward jog then dissipated along Highway 14. Max sustained winds were 112 mph. Total path length 18.83 miles.

A tree was blown down along Mount Moriah Road just south of Edwards.

Two trees were blown down across northern Hinds County.

This brief tornado touched down near County Road 5215 and damaged a few dozen trees along with causing roof damage to 2 metal sheds. The tornado then crossed County Road 5213 where more trees were uprooted. Some minor damage occurred to a mobile home and shed. Power lines were down here as well. The tornado dissipated just east of this location. Max estimated winds were 95 mph.

This brief tornado touched down near County Road 5210 and Highway 411 then tracked roughly northeast into western Choctaw County. The tornado quickly grew and downed dozens of trees along Highway 411 just before Hurricane Creek. Power lines were down here as well. As the tornado crossed Kyle Road, it reached EF2 strength as a swath of significant tree damage occurred. A few homes along the road sustained some roof damage and a few sheds were damaged. As the tornado crossed Burks Road, the swath of significant tree damage continued. Here a home along with a mobile home and RV were damaged by fallen trees. The tornado weakened as it crossed into Choctaw County and crossed Hunt and Mountain roads. Max sustained winds were 112 mph and was rated an EF-2 in Attala County. Total path length 5.89 miles. Max width was 800 yards also in Attala County.

This brief tornado touched down near County Road 5210 and Highway 411 then tracked roughly northeast into western Choctaw County. The tornado quickly grew and downed dozens of trees along Highway 411 just before Hurricane Creek. Power lines were down here as well. As the tornado crossed Kyle Road, it reached EF2 strength as a swath of significant tree damage occurred. A few homes along the road sustained some roof damage and a few sheds were damaged. As the tornado crossed Burks Road, the swath of significant tree damage continued. Here a home along with a mobile home and RV were damaged by fallen trees. The tornado weakened as it crossed into Choctaw County and crossed Hunt and Mountain roads. Max sustained winds were 112 mph and was rated an EF-2 in Attala County. Total path length 5.89 miles. Max width was also 800 yards in Attala County.

A tree was blown down along Highway 16 near Ratliff Ferry Road. Another tree was blown down across Barnes Road.

Water was over Highway 12 at the intersection with Fentress Road.

This tornado crossed Highway 25 and moved along the Pearl River Bottom, snapping numerous hardwood trees. It moved northeast to near Pleasant Hill Road where it caused a chicken house to collapse on itself, and continued to snap several softwood trees in the nearby wooded area. As the tornado progressed along its northeastward path, it reached Highway 35 and caused the uproot of several trees along the Pearl River bottom, where it lifted thereafter. Max sustained winds 100 mph.

A tree was blown down across South Montgomery Street near the intersection with Poor House Road.

A tree was blown down across a driveway.

Trees were blown down across the eastern portions of the county.

This tornado touched down along Highway 488 and snapped large softwood tree limbs. It then moved northeast to Ellis Road where it caused some roof damage to a manufactured home, as well as snapped and uprooted nearby softwood trees. It continued along its northeastward track to Charley Springs Road where it caused a mobile home to break its tie-downs and roll several yards thus completely destroying it. Additionally, a nearby compost shed composed of mostly wood and some metal was completely destroyed. It continued to track northeast to Hudson Road where it snapped small softwood tree limbs. Once it reached South Williams Road, it uprooted a few softwood trees and snapped small softwood tree limbs before it finally dissipated. Max sustained winds 100 mph.

A tree was blown down near the intersection of Cobb Road and Buck Egger Road.

Nickel to quarter size hail occurred in Chunky.

Dime to quarter size hail fell in Silver Creek.

Ping pong size hail fell just south of Magee.

This long track tornado affected the counties of Jasper, Clarke and Lauderdale. This tornado began in Jasper County south of Bay Springs along County Road 9, where it snapped several softwood trees and some minor peeling of the tin roof of a home also occurred. It progressed northeast and crossed MS Highway 15 where it snapped a few softwood trees. As the tornado moved northeast to County Road 17, it began to ramp up in intensity as it caused a fire tower to bend and pulled the cement foundation several feet out of the ground. Additionally, it destroyed a nearby trailer, a nearby barn and caused some minor damage to the roof of a one-story home. The tornado continued its northeastward track crossing County Road 5282 and caused some minor roof damage to a few chicken houses and snapped some softwood trees. Multiple softwood and hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted and a wooden power pole was snapped as it crossed County Road 528. Some of the aforementioned trees fell on top of cars. The tornado continued to snap and uproot numerous softwood trees as it moved northeast crossing County Roads 2339, 23411 and 23.The tornado then crossed County Road 279 snapping and uprooting several softwood trees, and causing extensive tin roof damage and structural damage to ten chicken houses located just off of County Road 279 south of Piney Creek. Numerous snapped softwood trees were noted at the intersection of County Roads 279 and 5286. As it moved east-northeast to the intersection of County Roads 279 and 27, it continued to snap softwood trees and also caused some minor peeling of tin roofs of nearby chicken houses. As the tornado crossed County Road 1816, the snapping of several softwood trees resulted in some of the trees taking down power poles. The tornado then crossed US Highway 503 north of Paulding, MS snapping multiple softwood trees. Thereafter, it moved across County Road 31 continuing its snapping and uprooting of softwood trees, as well as destroying an outdoor metal shed. The snapping and uprooting of softwood trees continued as it crossed US Highway 18, and then moved into Clarke County resulting in multiple snapped and uprooted trees, severely damaging a carport and causing damage to portions of a one-story home along US Highway 513. As the tornado neared Enterprise, it continued to snap and uproot numerous softwood trees thus causing them to fall onto cars and take down several power poles along County Road 360 and US Highway 11. Along US Highway 11 North, as the tornado neared Lauderdale County, it took off a large section of a one-story home. Furthermore, it snapped numerous softwood and hardwood trees as well as peeled off the metal roof of an outdoor hay shed along County Roads 377 and 379. The tornado then moved northeast into Lauderdale County and resulted in multiple snapped and uprooted softwood trees at Thomas Road, Valley Road and US Highway 145. It then moved east-northeast across US Highway 45 snapping several small softwood trees, thus showing a bit of a decline in intensity. When the tornado reached Southeast Lauderdale High School, it caused minor awning damage to portions of the school. It continued to snap and uproot several softwood and a few hardwood trees as it progressed northeast to US Highway 19 South and US Highway 496. When it reached Johnson Loop Road, a few miles west of the Alabama state line, only a few uprooted and snapped softwood trees were noted and thus, this is where it also dissipated. Max sustained winds was 125 mph in Jasper County and rated an overall EF-2. Total path length 60.05 miles.

Hail larger than quarters fell in Louin.

This long track tornado affected the counties of Jasper, Clarke and Lauderdale. This tornado began in Jasper County south of Bay Springs along County Road 9, where it snapped several softwood trees and some minor peeling of the tin roof of a home also occurred. It progressed northeast and crossed MS Highway 15 where it snapped a few softwood trees. As the tornado moved northeast to County Road 17, it began to ramp up in intensity as it caused a fire tower to bend and pulled the cement foundation several feet out of the ground. Additionally, it destroyed a nearby trailer, a nearby barn and caused some minor damage to the roof of a one-story home. The tornado continued its northeastward track crossing County Road 5282 and caused some minor roof damage to a few chicken houses and snapped some softwood trees. Multiple softwood and hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted and a wooden power pole was snapped as it crossed County Road 528. Some of the aforementioned trees fell on top of cars. The tornado continued to snap and uproot numerous softwood trees as it moved northeast crossing County Roads 2339, 23411 and 23.The tornado then crossed County Road 279 snapping and uprooting several softwood trees, and causing extensive tin roof damage and structural damage to ten chicken houses located just off of County Road 279 south of Piney Creek. Numerous snapped softwood trees were noted at the intersection of County Roads 279 and 5286. As it moved east-northeast to the intersection of County Roads 279 and 27, it continued to snap softwood trees and also caused some minor peeling of tin roofs of nearby chicken houses. As the tornado crossed County Road 1816, the snapping of several softwood trees resulted in some of the trees taking down power poles. The tornado then crossed US Highway 503 north of Paulding, MS snapping multiple softwood trees. Thereafter, it moved across County Road 31 continuing its snapping and uprooting of softwood trees, as well as destroying an outdoor metal shed. The snapping and uprooting of softwood trees continued as it crossed US Highway 18, and then moved into Clarke County resulting in multiple snapped and uprooted trees, severely damaging a carport and causing damage to portions of a one-story home along US Highway 513. As the tornado neared Enterprise, it continued to snap and uproot numerous softwood trees thus causing them to fall onto cars and take down several power poles along County Road 360 and US Highway 11. Along US Highway 11 North, as the tornado neared Lauderdale County, it took off a large section of a one-story home. Furthermore, it snapped numerous softwood and hardwood trees as well as peeled off the metal roof of an outdoor hay shed along County Roads 377 and 379. The tornado then moved northeast into Lauderdale County and resulted in multiple snapped and uprooted softwood trees at Thomas Road, Valley Road and US Highway 145. It then moved east-northeast across US Highway 45 snapping several small softwood trees, thus showing a bit of a decline in intensity. When the tornado reached Southeast Lauderdale High School, it caused minor awning damage to portions of the school. It continued to snap and uproot several softwood and a few hardwood trees as it progressed northeast to US Highway 19 South and US Highway 496. When it reached Johnson Loop Road, a few miles west of the Alabama state line, only a few uprooted and snapped softwood trees were noted and thus, this is where it also dissipated. Max sustained winds in Clarke County were 115 mph but overall for the tornado was 125 mph and rated an overall EF-2. Total path length 60.05 miles. The max width for 1320 yards in Jasper County.

This long track tornado affected the counties of Jasper, Clarke and Lauderdale. This tornado began in Jasper County south of Bay Springs along County Road 9, where it snapped several softwood trees and some minor peeling of the tin roof of a home also occurred. It progressed northeast and crossed MS Highway 15 where it snapped a few softwood trees. As the tornado moved northeast to County Road 17, it began to ramp up in intensity as it caused a fire tower to bend and pulled the cement foundation several feet out of the ground. Additionally, it destroyed a nearby trailer, a nearby barn and caused some minor damage to the roof of a one-story home. The tornado continued its northeastward track crossing County Road 5282 and caused some minor roof damage to a few chicken houses and snapped some softwood trees. Multiple softwood and hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted and a wooden power pole was snapped as it crossed County Road 528. Some of the aforementioned trees fell on top of cars. The tornado continued to snap and uproot numerous softwood trees as it moved northeast crossing County Roads 2339, 23411 and 23.The tornado then crossed County Road 279 snapping and uprooting several softwood trees, and causing extensive tin roof damage and structural damage to ten chicken houses located just off of County Road 279 south of Piney Creek. Numerous snapped softwood trees were noted at the intersection of County Roads 279 and 5286. As it moved east-northeast to the intersection of County Roads 279 and 27, it continued to snap softwood trees and also caused some minor peeling of tin roofs of nearby chicken houses. As the tornado crossed County Road 1816, the snapping of several softwood trees resulted in some of the trees taking down power poles. The tornado then crossed US Highway 503 north of Paulding, MS snapping multiple softwood trees. Thereafter, it moved across County Road 31 continuing its snapping and uprooting of softwood trees, as well as destroying an outdoor metal shed. The snapping and uprooting of softwood trees continued as it crossed US Highway 18, and then moved into Clarke County resulting in multiple snapped and uprooted trees, severely damaging a carport and causing damage to portions of a one-story home along US Highway 513. As the tornado neared Enterprise, it continued to snap and uproot numerous softwood trees thus causing them to fall onto cars and take down several power poles along County Road 360 and US Highway 11. Along US Highway 11 North, as the tornado neared Lauderdale County, it took off a large section of a one-story home. Furthermore, it snapped numerous softwood and hardwood trees as well as peeled off the metal roof of an outdoor hay shed along County Roads 377 and 379. The tornado then moved northeast into Lauderdale County and resulted in multiple snapped and uprooted softwood trees at Thomas Road, Valley Road and US Highway 145. It then moved east-northeast across US Highway 45 snapping several small softwood trees, thus showing a bit of a decline in intensity. When the tornado reached Southeast Lauderdale High School, it caused minor awning damage to portions of the school. It continued to snap and uproot several softwood and a few hardwood trees as it progressed northeast to US Highway 19 South and US Highway 496. When it reached Johnson Loop Road, a few miles west of the Alabama state line, only a few uprooted and snapped softwood trees were noted and thus, this is where it also dissipated. Max sustained winds in Lauderdale County were 110 mph, but the entire tornado was rated an EF-2 with winds of 125 mph. Total path length 60.05 miles. The max width for 1320 yards in Jasper County.

Several trees were blown down around Bassfield and the southern portions of the county.

Tree was blown down along Highway 49 near Craft Road.