Tornadoes · United States · Mississippi · 2024

EF0 tornado, Champion Hill to Bolton, Mississippi, May 9, 2024

From Champion Hill to Bolton, this EF0 tornado ran 4.9 miles across Hinds County on May 9, 2024, touching down at 10:11 PM CDT and reaching 105 yards wide. It killed nobody, and did $40,000 of property damage.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

  1. EF065 to 85 mphthis tornado

    Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

  2. EF186 to 110 mph

    Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

  3. EF2111 to 135 mph

    Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

  4. EF3136 to 165 mph

    Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

  5. EF4166 to 200 mph

    Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

  6. EF5over 200 mph

    Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

  7. Unrated

    The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating
EF0
Date
May 9, 2024
Touchdown
10:11 PM CDT (03:11 UTC)
Lifted
10:21 PM CDT (03:21 UTC)
On the ground
10 minutes
Path length
4.9 miles (7.8 km)
Path width
105 yards (96 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$40,000
County
Hinds County
Touchdown point
32.366, -90.541
Lift-off point
32.346, -90.463
Record number
2405092111-01

The damage survey

13 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS JAN, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF0. The highest wind the damage implies is 85 mph.

  • A TDS was observed on radar, and a landowner in this location reported trees damaged and downed across their property.

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

What the Weather Service recorded

Severe thunderstorms moved across the state of Mississippi and produced damaging wind gusts, hail, and one tornado. Two swaths of wind produced significant damage.

An EF-0 tornado began approximately one-third of a mile north of Interstate 20 near Thompson Drive, where trees were damaged or blown down on a section of private property. It moved east-southeast across Interstate 20 and Old Highway 80 where large branches were broken and trees were uprooted. After it crossed I-20, it continued to snap large tree branches along the Frontage Road. The tornado then moved southeast across a large field and dissipated near Champion Hill Road, where softwood tree branches were broken. A tornadic debris signature was observed on radar with this storm. Estimated peak winds were 85 mph.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

The warnings

No tornado warning for this county appears in the archive as in force at the moment the tornado touched down. One was issued for the county at another hour that day.

The county was under a severe thunderstorm watch, issued at 01:15 UTC and running to 04:49 UTC.

Issued (UTC)ExpiredProductOffice
01:15 UTC04:49 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WatchJAN
02:36 UTC03:45 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningJAN
03:01 UTC06:00 UTCFlash Flood WarningJAN
03:16 UTC03:39 UTCTornado WarningJAN
03:29 UTC06:30 UTCFlash Flood WarningJAN

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The forecast that day

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Enhanced Risk, with a 0.05 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 01:04 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Jackson, MS (KJAN), 00:00Z

3.2 hours before the tornado, 40 km from the path. May 10, 2024.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Jackson, MS at 00:00Z on 2024-05-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 4062 joules per kilogram, CIN -10, lifted condensation level 1056 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Jackson, MS at 00:00Z on 2024-05-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 20 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 56 knots.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
4062 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-10 J/kg
Surface CAPE
5588 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1056 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
56 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
4 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
20 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
49 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.1
Supercell composite
5.2
0-3 km lapse rate
6.6 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Jackson, MS (KJAN), 12:00Z

8.8 hours after it, 40 km from the path. May 10, 2024.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Jackson, MS at 12:00Z on 2024-05-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 10 joules per kilogram, CIN -345, lifted condensation level 896 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Jackson, MS at 12:00Z on 2024-05-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -141 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 49 knots.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
10 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-345 J/kg
Surface CAPE
17 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
896 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
49 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
16 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-141 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-96 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.1
0-3 km lapse rate
3.7 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The surface observations

Raymond (JVW), 10 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

Time (UTC)Temp (°F)Dew point (°F)WindGust (kt)Pressure (mb)Weather
02:15 UTC0° 0 kt1006.4BR
02:55 UTC230° 7 kt1007.5TS
03:15 UTC 6 kt281010.5+TSRA
03:55 UTC 6 kt221009.5TS
04:15 UTC 4 kt101011.2VCTS DZ
04:35 UTC0° 0 kt1011.5TS
04:55 UTC0° 0 kt1009.8-DZ

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The radar

The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 49 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 03:09 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

What was reported nearby

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

Time (UTC)ReportWhereCountyRemark
01:15 UTCHAIL 1BentonYazoo, MSReport of quarter-sized hail.
03:15 UTCTORNADO3 Wnw BoltonHinds, MSDebris was on Interstate 20 between Bolton and Edwards. A TDS was noted on radar in the same area.
03:25 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 W Le Fleurs BluffHinds, MSA tree was blown down onto power lines near the intersection of West Street and Taylor Street.
03:25 UTCTSTM WND DMGJacksonHinds, MSSeveral trees and power lines were downed across the city of Jackson, some trees fell on buildings. The mayors office reported widespread damage to homes, businesses, and public property. The citys water supply was inter
03:27 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Ese RichlandRankin, MSTree downed in the Southwind neighborhood of Richland.
03:30 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 E PearlRankin, MSDamage to homes in the city of Pearl. Time estimated based on radar.
03:33 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 Sse TougalooHinds, MSNumerous 3 to 5 inch tree limbs were blown down onto power lines near Wayneland Drive.
03:36 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Ssw Jan AirportRankin, MSSeveral large trees were uprooted west of the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers Airport.
03:36 UTCTSTM WND DMGFlorenceRankin, MSA tree was snapped near a house in the Florence area. Report relayed via social media.
03:36 UTCTSTM WND GST 651 Nne WhitfieldRankin, MSA private weather station near Whitfield recorded at 65 MPH wind gust.
03:37 UTCTSTM WND GST 801 Ssw Jan AirportRankin, MS*** 1 FATAL *** This wind swath started on the west side of the airport and moved across the southern potion of the airport property, uprooting several trees and snapping trunks. It then moved across the Metro Parkway/El
03:40 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 Ne Jan AirportRankin, MSTrees and powerlines downed through the county, with some on structures and cars. Time estimated based on radar.
03:40 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 Sse TougalooHinds, MSA report of a large oak tree uprooted that fell onto a house.
03:40 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 W BrandonRankin, MSNumerous trees down reported in the area of Highway 18 near Brandon. Time estimated based on radar.
03:42 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Se Jan AirportRankin, MSReport from mPING of wind damage similar to 1-inch tree limbs broken or shingles blown off.
03:42 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Se Jan AirportRankin, MSRoof blown off an apartment building at the Crosswinds apartment complex. Numerous large tree limbs down throughout the property, with a couple down on vehicles.
03:42 UTCTSTM WND DMG5 N BrandonRankin, MSReport from mPING of wind damage similar to 1-inch tree limbs broken or shingles blown off.
03:42 UTCTSTM WND GST 60Jan AirportRankin, MS60 mph gust (52kts) measured at Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport.
03:43 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Nw BrandonRankin, MS*** 1 INJ *** Tree fell on a home, causing an injury to one resident. Time estimated based on radar.
03:45 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Se Jan AirportRankin, MSTree blown down in Old Brandon Road.
03:45 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Wnw BrandonRankin, MSTree blown down on house in Crossgates neighborhood.
03:46 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Nw RobinhoodRankin, MSSeveral trees were uprooted along Star Rd near the Robinhood community.
03:46 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Wnw BrandonRankin, MSSocial media reported power lines on the street at intersection of East Metro Parkway and Crossgates Dr.
03:48 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Se BrandonRankin, MSSeveral large tree limbs were blown down, and two 1 to 2 foot diameter trees were broken along Louis Wilson Drive.
03:48 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Ne BrandonRankin, MSReport from mPING of wind damage similar to 1-inch tree limbs broken or shingles blown off.
04:09 UTCFLASH FLOOD2 Se TougalooHinds, MSFlash flooding reported around Briarfield Road. Water over roads.
04:20 UTCFLASH FLOOD2 Nne Le Fleurs BluffHinds, MSFlash flooding reported on Ridgewood Road. Water over roads.
04:24 UTCFLASH FLOOD3 Ese TougalooHinds, MSFlash flooding reported on Sedgwick Dr and S Canton Club Circle. Water over the roads.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2024 tornado in MississippiEvery tornado in Mississippi since 1950Warnings in force in Mississippi nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of May 9, 2024

18 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
May 91:39 AM CDTEF0Benton, TN1.3100$3,000
May 92:46 AM EDTEF0Newberry, SC3.0150
May 93:12 AM EDTEF0Fairfield, SC0.350
May 93:31 AM EDTEF1Fairfield, SC1.9250
May 93:44 AM CDTEF1Lincoln, TN4.2105
May 94:01 AM CDTEF1Lincoln, TN to AL13.7215
May 94:06 AM CDTEF1Lincoln, TN to AL6.1300
May 94:10 AM CDTEF1Lincoln, TN10.2194
May 94:31 AM CDTEF1Jackson, AL0.3108$155,000
May 94:37 AM CDTEF1Jackson, AL1.1170$165,000
May 95:08 AM CDTEF1Jackson, AL6.1241$138,000
May 912:50 PM EDTEF1Dodge, GA12.2150
May 91:06 PM EDTEF0Laurens, GA8.6100
May 91:18 PM EDTEF0Wheeler, GA7.2150
May 91:39 PM EDTEF1Montgomery, GA14.7250
May 91:03 PM CDTEF0Floyd, IA0.630
May 98:19 PM EDTEF1Wood, WV3.42501$15,000
May 98:55 PM EDTEF0Preston, WV0.450$50,000

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.