Tornadoes · United States · Mississippi

Tornadoes in Rankin County, Mississippi

116 tornadoes have crossed Rankin County since 1950, 2nd of the 82 counties in Mississippi with a tornado on record, an average of 1.5 a year. They have killed 112 people and injured 1,016. 4 were rated F4 or EF4 and above, 1 at the top of the scale.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The United States rated tornadoes on Ted Fujita’s F scale until 31 January 2007 and on the Enhanced Fujita scale after it. Both run from 0 to 5, and both rate the damage rather than measure the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

  1. F0 / EF040 to 72 mph on the F scale, 65 to 85 mph on the EF scale

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

  2. F1 / EF173 to 112 mph on the F scale, 86 to 110 mph on the EF scale

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

  3. F2 / EF2113 to 157 mph on the F scale, 111 to 135 mph on the EF scale

    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. F3 / EF3158 to 206 mph on the F scale, 136 to 165 mph on the EF scale

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

  5. F4 / EF4207 to 260 mph on the F scale, 166 to 200 mph on the EF scale

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

  6. F5 / EF5261 to 318 mph on the F scale, over 200 mph on the EF scale

    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.

Now

Tornadoes
116
Deaths
112
Injuries
1,016
F4 and above
4
Worst on record
F5, March 3, 1966

The deadliest in Rankin County

  1. F5, Hinds, Rankin, Scott, Leake, Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties, Mississippi and AlabamaMarch 3, 196658 killed, 518 injured
  2. F4, Jefferson, Copiah, Simpson and Rankin counties, MississippiJanuary 23, 196932 killed, 241 injured
  3. F4, Copiah, Simpson, Rankin and Scott counties, MississippiNovember 21, 199212 killed, 122 injured
  4. F3, Copiah, Hinds, Rankin and Madison counties, MississippiFebruary 26, 19588 killed, 26 injured
  5. F3, Simpson, Rankin, Scott and Leake counties, MississippiFebruary 26, 19581 killed, 34 injured
  6. EF3, Hinds, Rankin and Scott counties, MississippiApril 28, 20141 killed, 10 injured

The strongest

  1. F5, Hinds, Rankin, Scott, Leake, Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties, Mississippi and AlabamaMarch 3, 1966F5, 202.5 mi (326 km)
  2. F4, Copiah, Simpson, Rankin and Scott counties, MississippiNovember 21, 1992F4, 128.0 mi (206 km)
  3. F4, Copiah, Simpson, Rankin and Smith counties, MississippiMarch 29, 1976F4, 126.5 mi (204 km)
  4. F4, Jefferson, Copiah, Simpson and Rankin counties, MississippiJanuary 23, 1969F4, 117.8 mi (190 km)
  5. F3, Simpson, Rankin, Scott and Leake counties, MississippiFebruary 26, 1958F3, 71.0 mi (114 km)
  6. F3, Copiah, Hinds, Rankin and Madison counties, MississippiFebruary 26, 1958F3, 69.7 mi (112 km)
  7. EF3, Hinds, Rankin and Scott counties, MississippiApril 28, 2014EF3, 29.7 mi (48 km)
  8. F3, Rankin County, MississippiApril 6, 2005F3, 15.0 mi (24 km)
  9. F3, Rankin County, MississippiApril 24, 2003F3, 12.0 mi (19 km)
  10. F2, Simpson, Lincoln, Rankin and Copiah counties, MississippiApril 12, 1955F2, 112.8 mi (181 km)

Every year with a tornado

The 44 years of the 76 in the record with a tornado in Rankin County. Each year links to every tornado in Mississippi that year.

YearTornadoesDeathsInjuriesStrongest
20253EF1
20241EF1
20236EF2
20228EF2
20213EF1
20201EF0
201912EF2
20185EF1
20161EF1
20151EF1
20142110EF3
20131EF1
20122EF2
20114EF1
20102EF2
2008920EF2
20071EF1
200546F3
20043F2
200346F3
20013F0
19961F1
19951F2
19941F1
1992112122F4
19901F0
19892F1
198765F2
198326F2
19771F1
197618F4
19751F2
19741F2
197311F2
19713F1
1969232241F4
19671F1
1966258518F5
19612F1
19601F1
19593F2
19583960F3
19551F2
1950213F2

Every tornado that crossed Rankin County

116 tornadoes, newest first.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
October 19, 20252:07 AM CDTEF0Rankin6.775
May 26, 20253:01 PM CDTEF1Rankin3.370
January 5, 20257:11 PM CSTEF1Rankin11.1150$160,000
December 28, 20247:04 PM CSTEF1Rankin37.5880$1.7 million
December 9, 20239:18 PM CSTEF0Simpson13.9350$30,000
June 18, 20239:25 PM CDTEF1Rankin5.5450$15,000
June 18, 20239:21 PM CDTEF0Rankin0.9100$2,000
June 18, 20239:05 PM CDTEF2Rankin6.1400$200,000
June 18, 20238:58 PM CDTEF0Rankin1.050$1,000
June 18, 20238:29 PM CDTEF1Rankin2.0300$25,000
December 14, 20226:44 AM CSTEF2Rankin3.6250$700,000
December 14, 20226:30 AM CSTEF0Rankin3.8400$50,000
December 14, 20226:02 AM CSTEF1Madison9.01,000$51,000
June 26, 20227:09 PM CDTEF0Rankin0.525
April 13, 20227:57 PM CDTEF1Rankin9.7670$35,000
April 13, 20227:35 PM CDTEF1Rankin4.9250$25,000
April 13, 20226:19 PM CDTEF0Rankin2.825$1,000
March 30, 20224:43 PM CDTEF1Hinds8.5200$280,000
May 4, 20212:24 PM CDTEF1Hinds30.7880$855,000
May 4, 20219:01 AM CDTEF1Rankin9.775$35,000
April 9, 20218:28 PM CDTEF0Rankin11.050$15,000
April 23, 20201:57 AM CDTEF0Rankin11.41,230$30,000
November 27, 201912:03 AM CSTEF1Rankin7.375$45,000
November 26, 201911:57 PM CSTEF2Rankin11.9500$120,000
April 18, 20193:22 PM CDTEF1Rankin4.8150$15,000
April 18, 20193:15 PM CDTEF0Rankin1.6450$20,000
April 18, 20193:13 PM CDTEF1Rankin4.51,100$100,000
April 18, 20193:07 PM CDTEF1Rankin1.150$30,000
April 18, 20193:01 PM CDTEF2Simpson9.4600$105,000
April 18, 20192:54 PM CDTEF1Simpson11.3400$6,000
April 18, 20192:51 PM CDTEF1Rankin3.150$10,000
April 18, 20192:36 PM CDTEF1Simpson28.4600$221,000
January 19, 20197:44 AM CSTEF1Rankin2.5150$50,000
January 19, 20197:38 AM CSTEF0Rankin2.7150$10,000
November 1, 20184:29 AM CDTEF1Rankin4.5300$35,000
November 1, 20183:53 AM CDTEF0Rankin2.8200$15,000
April 14, 20187:44 AM CDTEF1Rankin6.250$35,000
April 6, 20188:03 PM CDTEF0Rankin2.625$15,000
March 28, 20189:12 PM CDTEF0Rankin1.650$10,000
November 29, 20163:57 PM CSTEF1Rankin23.9300$200,000
November 17, 201511:40 PM CSTEF1Scott8.7440$83,000
July 23, 20146:26 PM CDTEF0Rankin0.725
April 28, 20146:27 PM CDTEF3Hinds29.7400110$13 million
September 21, 20132:53 AM CDTEF1Rankin1.0100$70,000
August 19, 20126:45 PM CDTEF0Rankin0.130
March 21, 20122:04 PM CDTEF2Rankin6.275$150,000
April 15, 20111:47 PM CDTEF1Smith3.8100$18,000
April 15, 201111:43 AM CDTEF1Rankin7.6200$400,000
April 15, 201111:22 AM CDTEF1Rankin7.4200$6,000
March 14, 20112:06 PM CDTEF0Rankin1.675$40,000
December 31, 20105:42 PM CSTEF0Rankin1.450$2,000
December 31, 20104:44 PM CSTEF2Hinds26.2800$2.7 million
December 9, 20089:21 PM CSTEF1Rankin2.4200$100,000
December 9, 20089:09 PM CSTEF1Rankin5.3500$100,000
December 9, 20089:05 PM CSTEF2Rankin1.0300$800,000
September 1, 20084:40 PM CDTEF0Rankin0.825
April 4, 200812:28 PM CDTEF2Hinds13.090020$46 million
February 12, 20081:07 PM CSTEF1Rankin2.7250$200,000
February 12, 200812:45 PM CSTEF1Rankin3.2400$1.0 million
January 10, 200812:39 PM CSTEF0Rankin1.840
January 8, 20086:11 PM CSTEF0Rankin0.450$12,000
February 24, 20079:47 PM CSTEF1Rankin1.075$50,000
September 25, 20055:07 PM CDTF0Rankin1.050$10,000
September 25, 20053:58 PM CDTF1Rankin2.075$400,000
April 6, 20057:58 AM CDTF1Rankin1.0200$10,000
April 6, 20057:10 AM CDTF3Rankin15.06006$11 million
December 7, 20042:37 AM CSTF0Rankin0.7100$10,000
December 7, 20042:34 AM CSTF0Rankin0.5100$50,000
February 5, 200410:26 AM CSTF2Simpson10.0300$260,000
April 24, 20039:53 PM CDTF3Rankin12.06006$50 million
April 6, 20037:42 PM CDTF1Rankin4.050$300,000
April 6, 20031:23 PM CDTF0Rankin0.525$50,000
February 15, 20034:20 PM CSTF0Rankin1.050$10,000
December 13, 20016:45 PM CSTF0Rankin0.125$1,000
October 13, 20018:45 AM CDTF0Rankin0.230$10,000
October 13, 20018:39 AM CDTF0Rankin0.230
March 18, 19962:15 PM CSTF1Rankin9.0100$50,000
May 8, 19954:19 PM CDTF2Rankin7.0440$50,000 to $500,000
November 27, 19948:40 PM CSTF1Hinds20.0200$500,000 to $5 million
November 21, 199211:27 PM CSTF4Copiah128.088012122$5 million to $50 million
April 27, 19903:15 PM CDTF0Rankin0.520
May 4, 198912:05 PM CDTF1Rankin1.5150$50,000 to $500,000
May 4, 198912:00 PM CDTF1Rankin0.530
November 16, 19872:59 PM CSTF2Rankin4.0100$50,000 to $500,000
November 16, 19872:50 PM CSTF1Rankin10.0100$5,000 to $50,000
November 16, 19872:43 PM CSTF1Rankin9.0120$500,000 to $5 million
November 16, 19872:30 PM CSTF2Hinds20.01505$500,000 to $5 million
February 28, 19878:45 AM CSTF0Rankin0.540$500 to $5,000
February 15, 19871:15 PM CSTF1Rankin12.080$5,000 to $50,000
November 22, 19836:00 PM CSTF1Rankin2.2733$5,000 to $50,000
April 1, 19836:15 PM CSTF2Rankin0.72003$5,000 to $50,000
April 4, 19776:00 AM CSTF1Rankin0.150$500 to $5,000
March 29, 19762:05 PM CSTF4Copiah126.58808$500,000 to $5 million
January 10, 197510:10 AM CSTF2Rankin4.577$5,000 to $50,000
February 14, 19749:00 PM CDTF2Rankin0.110$50 to $500
March 11, 19731:25 AM CSTF2Simpson12.92501$5,000 to $50,000
February 21, 19717:35 PM CSTF0Rankin0.110
February 21, 19717:10 PM CSTF1Rankin0.110
February 4, 19715:40 PM CSTF1Rankin0.110$500 to $5,000
April 17, 19694:55 PM GMT-6F0Rankin0.110
January 23, 19695:25 AM GMT-6F4Jefferson117.820032241$50,000 to $500,000
April 14, 19672:05 AM GMT-6F1Rankin0.620$5,000 to $50,000
March 3, 19666:30 PM GMT-6F5Hinds to AL202.590058518$5 million to $50 million
February 14, 19666:30 AM GMT-6F0Rankin0.110
November 22, 19615:30 PM GMT-6F1Rankin1.050$5,000 to $50,000
February 20, 19615:40 PM GMT-6F1Rankin0.110
February 4, 19603:52 PM GMT-6F1Rankin17.550$500 to $5,000
November 4, 19594:15 PM GMT-6F1Rankin4.917$5,000 to $50,000
March 11, 19597:45 AM GMT-6F2Smith18.950
January 21, 19599:30 AM GMT-6F2Rankin23.810$5,000 to $50,000
April 20, 19587:45 PM GMT-6F1Rankin4.927$5,000 to $50,000
February 26, 19585:40 PM GMT-6F3Simpson71.060134$500,000 to $5 million
February 26, 19585:30 PM GMT-6F3Copiah69.760826$50,000 to $500,000
April 12, 19556:30 PM GMT-6F2Simpson112.810$50,000 to $500,000
March 27, 19507:45 AM GMT-6F2Hinds59.3507$50,000 to $500,000
March 27, 19507:45 AM GMT-6F2Hinds31.9506$50,000 to $500,000

Nearby

Warnings in force in Rankin CountyThe forecast for Rankin CountyThe live radar over Rankin CountyEvery county in Mississippi

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.