Severe thunderstorms moved across the state of Mississippi and produced damaging wind gusts, a few brief tornadoes, and heavy rainfall. Several swaths of wind produced significant damage.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS JAN wrote it up.
Severe thunderstorms moved across the state of Mississippi and produced damaging wind gusts, a few brief tornadoes, and heavy rainfall. Several swaths of wind produced significant damage.
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 May 12, 8:49 PM CST, 3 hours 12 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Jackson MS 949 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024 ...New MESOSCALE UPDATE... .MESOSCALE UPDATE... Issued at 939 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024 Local radars showed a large area of mostly light to moderate rain across our CWA generally along and north of Highway 84. There was no lightning within our CWA at mid evening and the rain has knocked temperatures down close to forecast morning lows across our southern zones. No severe weather or locally heavy rain is expected over our CWA for the next couple of hours but, waa is expected to increase after midnight from the southwest ahead of a shortwave trough noted over the southern Plains. The 00Z Mon JAN sounding had a PWAT of 1.55in. By morning PWATs are expected to be close to two inches. Regional radars did show convection over east Texas crossing the Louisiana state line. This activity is progged to increase in coverage and intensity as it approaches our CWA. This activity will pose a damaging wind and hail threat mainly as it moves into our CWA. In addition rainfall rates will increase as well with heavy rain falling over already wet grounds. Some runoff issues especially in poor drainage areas are possible later tonight. /22/ && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 158 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024 Tonight and tomorrow... Hope you enjoyed the break this weekend as active weather has returned for the short term period. A series of disturbances amid an active southern stream will support multiple complexes that push across the area starting tonight. The first few will not pose a huge threat as there is not much instability and the warm front is offshore the Gulf. These will push through tonight and early tomorrow morning and there is a slight risk highlighted for south of the HWY 84 corridor in the HWO for damaging winds to 60 mph and hail to quarter size. A tornado cannot be ruled out but this chance is very low considering the lack of instability and unfavorable low level shear profile. The main concern will be tomorrow afternoon and evening as a more potent MCS dives across the area. Storms will initiate in central Texas and gradually grow upscale, reaching maturity once it reaches our area. Strong instability and deep shear will be supportive of its maintenance, while a surface warm front, roughly extending parallel to the HWY 49 corridor, will serve as a focus for a potentially stronger wind swath. There is some low end tornado threat as well given somewhat favorable wind profiles, however I want to emphasize that the straight line winds in these cases may do greater, more widespread damage. There is a slight risk highlighted for this potential as well, however an upgrade to enhanced could be possible. In addition to severe threat, PWAT in excess of 1.8 inches and very deep warm cloud layer will support heavy rain rates capable of producing flash flooding. Multiple rounds of rain will enhance this risk further and will lead to a lot of rainfall in a short period of time, as much as 4 to 5 inches in spots, with a focus south of I-20. This has prompted the issuance of a flash flood watch and an elevated risk in the HWO for this area. /SAS/ Monday Night through Saturday... The potential for severe storms and heavy rain will be ongoing as we begin the forecast period Monday night. A complex of storms is advertised to be in the process of racing east through the CWA during this time. Damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, quarter to golf ball size hail, and tornadoes will be possible with this complex as it moves through. In addition, heavy rainfall will again continue to be a concern during this time. High rainfall rates and training west to east convection could result in flash flooding, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas, along with some minor river flooding. Showers and storms will continue to be possible into Tuesday as the main upper trough moves through the region. This activity will steadily exit the CWA through the course of the afternoon as the trough exits to the northeast. High pressure at the surface and ridging aloft will quickly build into the region Tuesday night, with a return to quiet weather expected through at least Wednesday night. Chances for showers and storms will yet again increase across the forecast area early Thursday morning, with chances remaining in the forecast through Saturday. This is as a result of yet another series of disturbances forecast to affect the region. It'll also be during this time, particularly Friday and Saturday, that the potential for both heavy rain and severe storms will need to monitored in upcoming forecasts. /19/ && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 653 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024 Widespread -RA with a few -TSRA mainly across the south will bring varying conditions through the TAF period. Away from TSRA cigs wl lower to MVFR/IFR while vsbys lower to MVFR by 06Z and then prevail through 17Z. VSBYs wl improve but MVFR cigs wl continue through the end of the TAF period. /22/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Jackson 65 79 66 83 / 90 80 50 30 Meridian 64 77 65 85 / 90 90 60 50 Vicksburg 65 82 66 84 / 90 70 50 10 Hattiesburg 67 84 67 87 / 80 90 70 40 Natchez 64 83 65 84 / 90 80 50 10 Greenville 65 79 67 82 / 90 60 50 20 Greenwood 65 77 66 82 / 80 80 50 40 && .JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MS...Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for MSZ053>066-072>074. LA...Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for LAZ024>026. AR...None. && SAS20/19/22
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
702 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1105 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SSE Morton 32.32N 89.64W
05/09/2024 Scott MS Public
Tree limbs were downed on Stage Rd.
&&
DLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
704 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1124 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 E Burns 32.14N 89.50W
05/09/2024 Smith MS Public
Large tree limbs downed on roads in northern
Smith County.
&&
DLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
706 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1105 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Branch 32.43N 89.71W
05/09/2024 Scott MS Public
Trees were downed in the Branch community.
&&
DLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
710 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1118 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WSW Zion Hill 31.92N 89.81W
05/09/2024 Simpson MS Public
Power lines were downed along US 49.
&&
DLThe Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 116 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:58 UTC.
26 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple trees were down on Highway 552.
Several trees were down in Port Gibson and along Grand Gulf Road.
Trees and powerlines were down in Natchez. Additional trees and powerlines were down across the county.
A tree was uprooted.
An intense downburst caused a swath of significant wind damage beginning north of Jayess between China Grove Road and Holmesville Road. This downburst intensified quickly as it approached and crossed Holmesville Road and peaked along Conn-Rutherford and Conn Lane. Extensive tree damage was noted with thousands of uprooted or snapped trees. Sheds were destroyed, and several homes were damaged from fallen trees, sheds being blown into them, or by the wind directly. Numerous power lines and poles were down. A couple of large grain silos were damaged, and three smaller ones were rolled across a field for 200 to 300 yds. A travel trailer was rolled. One resident was trapped in a trailer on Robert Tynes Road. Peaks winds were estimated to be 105 mph in this area. As the downburst moved ESE, it weakened some but was still significant (winds 75-90 mph) as it crossed Topeka-Jayess Road and along Bismark Road before dissipation near MS Highway 44. The swath of significant damage was approximately 2.5 miles wide and 5 miles long.
An EF-1 tornado touched down just west of Holmesville Road and damaged the Calvary United Church, then quickly dissipated just east of the road. This tornado developed on the north side of am intense downburst and wind swath as a brief spin-up. Despite the brevity, numerous trees were uprooted or snapped along the path with trees blown down to the NE/N/NW direction in a well defined convergent pattern. Power lines were down as well. Roof damage to the church build occurred as the debris was blown into the trees to the north side of the property. Max winds were around 100 mph.
An intense downburst caused significant wind damage in a swath generally in the Highway 27 portion of southern Lawrence County near Robert Tynes, Divide, and Renfroe roads. Numerous trees were uprooted and or snapped, and multiple power lines were blown down. The most intense part of the downburst was at Robert Tynes Road, Calvin Rutland Road, and Armstrong Circle toward Highway 27 near Fuller Circle. Here significant tree damage was noted. Multiple homes sustained damage from downed trees or damage from winds with parts of roofs blown off or shingles removed. One resident was trapped and injured when a tree fell onto a trailer along Robert Tynes Road. Part of a chicken house and multiple sheds were damaged. Peak winds were at these locations and were estimated to be around 100 mph. The swath was approximately 3 miles wide and 4 miles long.
An EF-1 tornado touched down just west of Renfroe Road and Gaskin Lane. This tornado developed on the north side of an intense downburst and wind swath as a brief spin-up. Despite the brevity, numerous trees were uprooted or snapped along the path with trees blown down to the northeast, north, and northwest in a well defined convergent pattern. Maximum winds were estimated to be around 95 mph.
A swath of significant wind damage occurred along River Road near the Oak Vale area. Damage was mainly in the form of numerous uprooted and snapped trees along River Road and to areas toward the Pearl River. A couple of power lines were blown down as well. Max winds were estimated to be around 90 mph. The swath was approximately 2.5 miles wide and 5 miles long.
A swath of significant wind damage began in the Oak Vale community in Jefferson Davis County, moved southeast through the Society Hill community, and continued into northern Marion County where it impacted the Bunker Hill and Good Hope communities. This swath was extensive and had a sizable area of estimated 70 to 85 mph winds. More intense winds were embedded and impacted areas at Society Hill (105 mph peak winds), a sizeable area around Bunker Hill (110 mph peak winds), and then the Good Hope community (95 mph peak winds). Timber damage was extensive with potentially tens of thousands of trees uprooted, snapped, or damaged to a decent degree. Numerous power lines and poles were blown down. Roughly two dozen homes suffered major to minor damage across the swath with these being damaged from a combination of trees downed on them or strictly from the wind. The hardest hit area was around Bunker Hill. The area from the reservoir through Gross-Bunker Hill Road, Pope Road, MS Highway 35 to Williamsburg Road experienced the peak portion of the swath of 100 to 110 mph winds. A section along Pope Road and Highway 35 was enhanced by less friction as these winds moved over a large open area. The roof was removed from a large barn structure, and substantial roof damage occurred to the home next door. Tree damage was extensive. Additional drone aerial imagery confirmed that damage along Highway 13 at Wilburn Dyess Road in the Society Hill community was part of an overall downburst swath, but it was an area of more concentrated high end winds. The aerial perspective showed a uniform tree fall pattern to the WSW or SW. The swath was ranged from 2 to 3 miles wide and covered a length of roughly 15 miles across the two counties.
A swath of significant wind damage began in the Oak Vale community in Jefferson Davis County, moved southeast through the Society Hill community, and continued into northern Marion County where it impacted the Bunker Hill and Good Hope communities. This swath was extensive and had a sizable area of estimated 70 to 85 mph winds. More intense winds were embedded and impacted areas at Society Hill (105 mph peak winds), a sizeable area around Bunker Hill (110 mph peak winds), and then the Good Hope community (95 mph peak winds). Timber damage was extensive with potentially tens of thousands of trees uprooted, snapped, or damaged to a decent degree. Numerous power lines and poles were blown down. Roughly two dozen homes suffered major to minor damage across the swath with these being damaged from a combination of trees downed on them or strictly from the wind. The hardest hit area was around Bunker Hill. The area from the reservoir through Gross-Bunker Hill Road, Pope Road, MS Highway 35 to Williamsburg Road experienced the peak portion of the swath of 100 to 110 mph winds. A section along Pope Road and Highway 35 was enhanced by less friction as these winds moved over a large open area. The roof was removed from a large barn structure, and substantial roof damage occurred to the home next door. Tree damage was extensive. Additional drone aerial imagery confirmed that damage along Highway 13 at Wilburn Dyess Road in the Society Hill community was part of an overall downburst swath, but it was an area of more concentrated high end winds. The aerial perspective showed a uniform tree fall pattern to the WSW or SW. The swath was ranged from 2 to 3 miles wide and covered a length of roughly 15 miles across the two counties.
Straight line winds damaged the roofs of multiple businesses in Taylorsville, and the roof of Leaf Valley Veterinary Clinic was blown off. Numerous trees were blown down in the area as well.
Multiple trees were blown down around Bassfield and the Highway 35 S areas.
Multiple trees were blown down in the Improve community.
Several trees were blown down on Highway 533.
Several trees were blown down on Highway 15 and County Road 8.
There were scattered trees and limbs blown down on Highway 44 in Sumrall.
Trees were blown down on County Road 23.
Several trees were reported down at 6419 Old Highway 42.
A canopy collapsed at the Sonic Drive-Thru off Old Highway 11.
A tree was blown down on a house on 16th Ave.
Several trees were blown down.
Several trees were blown down in the northern part of the county.
Several trees were damaged to the east of Hwy 49.
This swath of wind started on the south side of Petal near Boxtel Street and Crabapple Drive and moved SSE across Carterville Road into the Carterville community. Initially a shed had the roof torn off and many large limbs broken in trees. Tree damage increased quickly between Corinth Road and Carterville Road. Numerous trees were uprooted or had large limbs snapped along Carterville Road as well as Harvey Ave, Jones St and Azalea Ave. Three homes had shingle pealed off and one had a large section of siding removed. Power lines were down as well. The tree fall pattern was to the south and SSE. Peak winds were around 80 mph. Swath length was roughly a mile long, width 1/3rd of a mile.
This swath of significant straight line winds started near the Leaf River and moved generally ESE. Heaviest damage was along Highway 11 and then again along Leeville near the intersections of Miller and Deermont. Numerous trees were uprooted, snapped or had large sections broken out of them. Several powerlines were downed as well. A few homes had shingle damage or roof damage from large limbs along with some fences damaged. One shed had the roof blown off. The tree fall pattern was to the SE. Peak winds in this swath are around 90 mph. Swath length was almost 3 miles and about a mile wide.
A tree was blown down on a house on Show Road with one injury reported.
Small trees and large limbs were blown down in the area. One tree punctured the roof of a home.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Mississippi, 2024Warnings in Mississippi, May 2024
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: 1194837, 1194622, 1194623, 1194634, 1194637, 1194639, 1194641, 1194642, 1194643, 1194646, 1194658, 1194653, 1194657, 1194659, 1194661, 1194663, 1194665, 1194666, 1194668, 1194670, 1194671, 1194690, 1194691, 1194694, 1194702, 1194833, 1194834, 1194835.