Flash Flooding and Flood in Mississippi, June 6 to 8, 2021

Name: Flash Flooding and Flood in Mississippi, June 6 to 8, 2021
Start: 2021-06-06T07:30
End: 2021-06-08T19:25
Location: Mississippi

June 6 to 8, 2021 · NWS JAN · 24 events in 18 counties and zones

As an upper-level low pressure system moved over central parts of the country, a few storm systems moved across the state of Mississippi. These brought rounds of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain to the region, eventually leading to the first wave of significant flooding in Mississippi this month.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $2.6 million
Crop damage: $15,000
Events: 24

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.

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 Jun 6, 5:37 AM CST, 1 hour 53 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 6, 5:37 AM CST, 1 hour 53 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jackson MS
637 AM CDT Sun Jun 6 2021

.UPDATE...
Updated for 12Z aviation discussion

&&

.AVIATION...
12Z TAF discussion:
Widespread MVFR/IFR conditions exist this morning due to a
combination of low stratus ceilings and low visibility resulting
from bands of SHRA/TS spreading across the region. SHRA and TS
will be widespread through much of the day, decreasing toward the
early part of the evening and becoming isolated to scattered
overnight. Ceilings will generally improve through the day outside
of storms, reaching VFR especially at sites farther west. However,
they are expected to deteriorate again tonight into Monday
morning. /DL/

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Today and tonight: Another rainy day is on tap for the region,
and it is perhaps the day with the highest "washout" potential out
of the recent days. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are
already ongoing across portions of south and east Mississippi
early this morning. As a cutoff upper low over northeast Texas
begins to lift toward the Missouri Valley over the next 24 hours,
a mid level impulse will pivot across the Lower Mississippi
Valley. This along with split upper jet flow enhancing upper
divergence and a rather moist airmass with PW around 2", will
yield widespread showers and thunderstorms today. The greatest
focus for convection will be in a corridor from southeast LA
through east MS where rainfall amounts of 1-3" will be common, but
locally higher amounts are likely. Coverage and intensity of rain
will decrease through the evening in the wake of the shortwave
and as somewhat drier mid level air works into the region, leaving
only isolated to scattered shower activity overnight.

Given a tendency toward below normal rainfall in most of this
area over the past month, the average forecast rainfall totals
will not result in issues, and in many cases will be beneficial.
However, 00Z HREF LPMM and several recent runs of the HRRR suggest
a few swaths of 5"+ amounts possible from the Pine Belt into
coastal MS. These higher amounts and the potential for localized
higher rates could result in flash flooding issues. We have
hoisted a Flash Flood Watch for portions of the Pine Belt, where
guidance shows the greatest potential for these excessive
amounts/rain rates today. /DL/

Monday through Saturday: The period is still expected to start
out wet along with cooler than normal daytime temperatures
followed by a gradual warming trend to above normal with lower
rain chances by Saturday. A closed low will still be to our
northwest and spinning over the Ozarks Monday morning. Wl still
have a warm moist airmass in place with surface dew points in the
lower 70s and PWATs in excess of two inches. This will support
widespread rainfall by afternoon and some potential for locally
heavy rain although rainfall rates are not expected to contribute
to flash flooding. One area of exception may be our western most
zones where some models suggest an outflow boundary from a
decaying mcs may spread into our CWA during late afternoon and
early evening. If this pans out there may also be a few strong
wind gusts as well. Wl not introduce any mention of flash flooding
or severe storms in our HWO for Monday this forecast package as
confidence is rather low at this time. The closed low will weaken
Monday into Tuesday as it tracks northeast and opens up over the
mid Mississippi valley Tuesday. Daytime heating will again lead to
decent rain chances by Tuesday afternoon with the greatest
coverage of storms over the eastern half of our CWA. Mid level
ridging will begin working into our region from the southwest
Wednesday but broad upper level troughing will linger over our CWA
through Thursday and combine with daytime heating of our moist
airmass to enhance convection each afternoon. By Friday the mid
level ridge from the southwest will begin to dominate and result
in a lower coverage of more diurnally driven convection. Models
are in fair agreement that a shortwave rounding the top of the mid
level ridge will drop across our CWA Saturday during the heat of
the day and result in a greater coverage of convection than on
Friday. High temperatures are expected to see a warming trend to
above normal by Saturday but an early start to convection Saturday
may hold afternoon highs cooler than anticipated. /22/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson       81  70  85  72 / 100  48  88  22
Meridian      79  67  83  70 / 100  52  90  23
Vicksburg     83  71  86  72 /  96  53  89  27
Hattiesburg   80  70  85  72 / 100  46  86  14
Natchez       82  71  85  72 /  99  45  85  14
Greenville    83  71  85  72 /  92  63  91  49
Greenwood     82  71  85  72 /  95  69  93  45

&&

.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for MSZ066-072>074.

LA...None.
AR...None.

&&

DL/22

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 6, 2:50 AM CST, 4 hours 40 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Jackson MS
350 AM CDT Sun Jun 6 2021

ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026-MSZ018-019-025>047-060-
070900-
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-Adams-
350 AM CDT Sun Jun 6 2021

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast
Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central
Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

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 not expected through next Saturday.

MSZ048>059-061>065-072-070900-
Hinds-Rankin-Scott-Newton-Lauderdale-Claiborne-Copiah-Simpson-
Smith-Jasper-Clarke-Jefferson-Franklin MS-Lincoln-Lawrence-
Jefferson Davis-Covington-Marion-
350 AM CDT Sun Jun 6 2021

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central
Mississippi, east central Mississippi, and south central
Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Limited
TIMING...Today

One to three inches of rain, with locally higher amounts in a
short amount of time may lead to localized flash flooding today
especially in low lying and urban areas.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

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 not expected through next Saturday.

MSZ066-073-074-070900-
Jones-Lamar-Forrest-
350 AM CDT Sun Jun 6 2021

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast
Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Elevated
TIMING...Today

Two to five inches of rain, with locally higher amounts in a
short amount of time will likely lead to areas of flash flooding
today. Some roads may become flooded or closed and some structures
may become inundated.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

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 not expected through next Saturday.

20

&&

...HAZARD LEGEND...

*FLOODING*
Extreme...Confident in significant flooding.
Significant...Significant flooding possible.
Elevated...Confident in flooding.
Limited...Flooding possible.

...USEFUL WEATHER WEB PAGES (URLS)...

NWS JAN Home page...
   https://www.weather.gov/jan
Stay Aware, Stay Safe NWS JAN Briefing Page...
   https://www.weather.gov/jan/safe
Latest Weather Briefing...
   https://www.weather.gov/jan/weather_briefing

Tropical page...
   https://www.weather.gov/srh/tropical?office=jan
National Hurricane Center Home Page...
   https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Find NWS JAN on Facebook...
   https://www.facebook.com/NWSJacksonMS
Follow NWS JAN on Twitter...
   @NWSJacksonMS
Follow NWS JAN on Youtube...
   https://www.youtube.com/user/NWSJacksonMiss

...ADDITIONAL URLS FOR FLOODING ISSUES...

Current Watches and Warnings...
   https://www.weather.gov/jan/safe_HeavyRain

Observed Precipitation Images...
   https://www.weather.gov/jan/precipmaps

River Forecast Center...
   https://www.weather.gov/lmrfc/
Significant River Flood Outlook...
   https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/nationalfloodoutlook/index.html
Day 1 through 3 Excessive Rainfall...
   https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/excess_rain.shtml
Excessive Rainfall Discussion...
   https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/qpferd.html
Day 1 through 7 QPF...
   https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/qpf2.shtml
QPF Discussion...
   https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/qpfpfd.html

The radar

The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 60 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:26 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

15 thunderstorm wind, 8 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Lawrence

When: June 6, 7:30 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.76 mi E of Oma to 1.36 mi NNE of New Hebron
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $135,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.750, -90.100

A few rounds of heavy rain across the county resulted in flooding across twenty-six roads scattered across the county, and four sinkholes developed in the city of Monticello. A church and a home in in New Hebron were flooded. The Lawrence County EMA in Monticello measured 6.25 inches of rain over the span of a few hours.

Flood, Simpson

When: June 6, 10:00 AM CST to 12:30 PM CST
Where: Simpson County, 2.44 mi S of Saratoga to 2.15 mi WSW of Saratoga
Cause: Heavy Rain
Crop damage: $15,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.785, -89.675

Several creeks near the Saratoga community overspread their banks into nearby fields.

Flash Flood, Smith

When: June 6, 10:30 AM CST to 11:45 AM CST
Where: Smith County, 2.39 mi ESE of Center Ridge to 2.47 mi ESE of Center Ridge
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.923, -89.440

County Road 80 was flooded near its intersection with County Road 19 and also near its intersection with County Road 78.

Flash Flood, Covington

When: June 6, 11:45 AM CST to 3:30 PM CST
Where: Covington County, 2.24 mi NW of Williamsburg to 1.5 mi SSW of Williamsburg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 31.640, -89.650

A few rounds of heavy rain caused flash flooding across numerous roads in various parts of Covington County. A video showed water flowing across a portion of McDonald Chapel Road south of Collins.

Flash Flood, Jefferson Davis

When: June 6, 12:00 PM CST to 1:15 PM CST
Where: Jefferson Davis County, 3.89 mi ENE of Hathorn to 4.83 mi ENE of Hathorn
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.399, -89.868

Raynes Road was completely covered in water, and a portion was washed out by floodwaters.

Flash Flood, Jones

When: June 6, 12:45 PM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Jones County, 1.18 mi E of Laurel to 1.5 mi W of Laurel
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.700, -89.110

Street flooding occurred in Laurel, especially in the southern part of the city. A few cars were flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: June 7, 1:27 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.5 mi NNE of Brasfield
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.850, -91.070

A tree was blown down across MS Highway 552.

Thunderstorm Wind, Claiborne

When: June 7, 1:46 PM CST
Where: Claiborne County, 2.72 mi SE of Port Gibson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.940, -90.970

A tree and some power lines were blown down across MS Highway 547.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hinds

When: June 7, 1:54 PM CST
Where: Hinds County, 1.01 mi ESE of West Jackson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.314, -90.184

A tree was blown down onto a power line at the intersection of Manship Street and Lamar Street, and both the tree and a power pole caught fire.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hinds

When: June 7, 2:01 PM CST to 2:06 PM CST
Where: Hinds County, 1.36 mi WSW of Lebanon to 0.91 mi SE of Morning Star
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.160, -90.540

A tree was blown down across Peach Orchard Road, and another tree was blown down across Adams Station Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: June 7, 2:13 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 2.96 mi SSE of Grange Hall
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.208, -90.860

A tree was blown down across Jeff Davis Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: June 7, 2:25 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 0.69 mi S of Vicksburg
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $9,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.340, -90.880

Several trees were blown down in Vicksburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hinds

When: June 7, 2:33 PM CST
Where: Hinds County, 0.58 mi W of Brownsville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.450, -90.440

A tree was blown down in the Brownsville community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: June 7, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 2.1 mi SSW of Villanova
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.401, -90.791

A tree was blown down across Oak Ridge Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: June 7, 2:39 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 3.06 mi ESE of Turnetta
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.604, -89.951

A tree was blown down across Moss Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: June 7, 2:49 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 2.1 mi N of Sharon
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.680, -89.936

A tree was blown down across Sharon Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: June 7, 2:54 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 3.56 mi E of Shocco
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.630, -89.840

A tree was blown down across Robinson Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neshoba

When: June 7, 3:05 PM CST
Where: Neshoba County, 1.31 mi NNW of Center
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.836, -88.992

A few trees were blown down including one which fell onto a house. Some roofing material was also blown off of a shed and some chicken houses nearby.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: June 7, 4:37 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 0.93 mi N of (Glh)greenville Muni
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 33.493, -90.981

A peak wind gust of 68 mph from the south-southwest was measured by the ASOS site KGLH at the Greenville Mid-Delta Regional Airport.

Flash Flood, Bolivar

When: June 8, 7:20 AM CST to 1:15 PM CST
Where: Bolivar County, 0.35 mi N of Rosedale to 0.57 mi E of Beulah
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2.1 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.855, -91.049

Training showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rain that flooded numerous roads and approximately 200 homes in and between the areas of Rosedale, Shelby, Mound Bayou, and Merigold. A neighborhood flooded in Rosedale, and several streets in town were flooded significantly. In Mound Bayou, some residents had to be evacuated from flooded homes. The COOP Observer 2 miles southwest of Shelby measured 11.96 inches of rain during a 6 to 7 hour period that morning.

Flash Flood, Sunflower

When: June 8, 8:45 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Sunflower County, 2.95 mi WSW of Baltzer to 1.85 mi NNW of Dockery
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.970, -90.650

Training showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rain that flooded many roads in far northern Sunflower County. US Highway 49 was closed between Rome and Parchman, and at least one vehicle stalled on the flooded highway. A few homes flooded in Rome.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lowndes

When: June 8, 3:09 PM CST
Where: Lowndes County, 0.44 mi WNW of (Cbm)columbus Afb
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 33.652, -88.457

A peak wind gust of 59 mph from the west-southwest was measured by the ASOS site KCBM at the Columbus Air Force Base.

Thunderstorm Wind, Issaquena

When: June 8, 3:13 PM CST
Where: Issaquena County, 0.9 mi SW of New Fitler
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.690, -91.030

A few trees and a power line were blown down along MS Highway 465.

Flash Flood, Grenada

When: June 8, 5:55 PM CST to 7:25 PM CST
Where: Grenada County, 0.69 mi N of Grenada to 0.57 mi WSW of Grenada
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.790, -89.820

Ten roads in the mainly downtown area of Grenada were flooded, and floodwaters entered a home along Shelby Chapel Road southwest of town.

What these are

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.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Mississippi in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in Mississippi, June 2021

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: 967467, 967497, 967506, 967518, 967509, 967744, 967774, 967776, 967779, 967783, 967785, 967787, 967796, 967799, 967802, 967804, 967806, 967809, 967847, 968282, 968259, 972833, 972871, 972886.