Copiah County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Mississippi Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Copiah County is about the same as Mississippi average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Copiah County is much higher than Mississippi average and is much higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #76
| Copiah County | 0.00 |
| Mississippi | 0.05 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Copiah County | 0.0000 |
| Mississippi | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #10
| Copiah County | 376.20 |
| Mississippi | 280.40 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 12,358 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Copiah County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 0 | Cold: | 6 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 27 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 902 | Hail: | 3,903 | Heat: | 26 | Heavy Snow: | 18 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 10 | Ice Storm: | 16 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 37 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 7,108 | Tropical Storm: | 14 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 18 | Winter Weather: | 12 |
| Other: | 260 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Copiah County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Copiah County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Copiah County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 137 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Copiah County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 1.4 | 1976-03-29 | 4 | 31°47'N / 90°39'W | 31°57'N / 90°12'W | 28.80 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Copiah |
| 2.3 | 1969-01-23 | 4 | 31°46'N / 90°44'W | 31°54'N / 90°10'W | 34.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 11 | 140 | 250K | 0 | Copiah |
| 10.4 | 1978-04-17 | 2 | 31°42'N / 90°27'W | 31°44'N / 90°25'W | 3.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Copiah |
| 10.8 | 1958-02-26 | 3 | 31°59'N / 90°32'W | 32°03'N / 90°28'W | 6.20 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Copiah |
| 11.3 | 1992-11-21 | 2 | 31°42'N / 90°24'W | 31°43'N / 90°24'W | 1.00 Mile | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Copiah |
| 11.5 | 1987-11-16 | 2 | 31°42'N / 90°25'W | 31°43'N / 90°22'W | 4.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Copiah |
| 11.6 | 1977-12-24 | 3 | 31°48'N / 90°20'W | 31°48'N / 90°12'W | 8.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Copiah |
| 12.1 | 1973-11-26 | 3 | 32°02'N / 90°23'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Copiah | |||
| 12.2 | 1953-01-22 | 2 | 31°55'N / 90°37'W | 32°07'N / 90°30'W | 15.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Humphreys |
| 14.2 | 1969-04-13 | 2 | 31°43'N / 90°17'W | 31°47'N / 90°13'W | 6.10 Miles | 267 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Copiah |
| 14.7 | 2003-04-06 | 2 | 31°38'N / 90°37'W | 31°42'N / 90°27'W | 10.00 Miles | 1230 Yards | 0 | 6 | 1.0M | 0 | Lincoln |
| Brief Description: This tornado started 4 miles SE of Caseyville and continued to the NE for 10 miles when it entered Copiah county at 7:46 pm, at the intersection of Interstate 55 and the county line. This tornado caused minor damage to numerous homes with several homes sustaining major damage in the form of having their roofs blown off. This tornado also took down two 500 kilowatt towers. In addition to the structural damage, hundereds of trees were snapped and uprooted. To put the entire event into perspective, areas just to the N of Interstate 20 and extending W to E across the entire state, experienced a 125 year rainfall event. Rainfall totals ranged from 7 to 12 inches which all fell in about 18 hours. Due to the large amounts of rain, river flooding quickly became a major problem. The Pelahatchie Creek experienced a 100 year flood. The Chunky River, at Chunky, set a new record. This river actually flooded a portion of Interstate 20 which had to be closed for a few hours. The Chickasawhay River at Enterprise also set a record. In addition to all the flash flooding, the river flooding caused major damage to homes and flooded numerous roads. | |||||||||||
| 15.2 | 1992-11-21 | 4 | 31°58'N / 90°14'W | 31°58'N / 90°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Copiah |
| 15.9 | 1987-11-16 | 2 | 31°35'N / 90°36'W | 31°42'N / 90°25'W | 16.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Lincoln |
| 16.3 | 1976-03-30 | 3 | 31°45'N / 90°44'W | 31°47'N / 90°40'W | 4.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Copiah |
| 17.4 | 1980-04-25 | 2 | 32°04'N / 90°16'W | 1.00 Mile | 70 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hinds | |
| 17.8 | 1967-12-20 | 2 | 32°05'N / 90°17'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Hinds | |
| 17.8 | 1992-11-21 | 4 | 31°58'N / 90°12'W | 32°05'N / 90°13'W | 5.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Simpson |
| 18.3 | 1971-04-12 | 2 | 31°34'N / 90°31'W | 31°39'N / 90°15'W | 16.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lincoln |
| 19.1 | 1992-11-21 | 2 | 31°29'N / 90°33'W | 31°42'N / 90°24'W | 15.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lincoln |
| 19.3 | 2007-12-20 | 2 | 31°36'N / 90°22'W | 31°37'N / 90°17'W | 5.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 500K | 0K | Lincoln |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This strong tornado touched down just east of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Airport and tracked east-northeast for five miles to near the Woolworth Community. The most significant damage occurred just south of Heucks Crossing along Beeson Road where two mobile homes were obliterated. The debris was swept from foundations with large debris, including furniture, and appliances thrown more than 100 yards. Additionally, numerous trees, both pines and hardwoods, were snapped and uprooted along with several power lines down along the path. A shop was also destroyed, camper trailer heavily damaged and two other homes suffered significant roof damage. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A small, but potent, storm system evolved and moved east across the region during the first half of the day. A large MCV (meso-scale convective vortex) developed across Central Louisiana during the morning hours and moved east adding an extra kick to the atmosphere and aided in generating a line of severe thunderstorms which produced five tornadoes and wind damage. All the severe weather was confined to the southern areas, generally along Highway 84, and extended from Natchez to Brookhaven to Laurel. | |||||||||||
| 19.5 | 1978-04-17 | 3 | 32°07'N / 90°37'W | 32°08'N / 90°33'W | 4.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hinds |
| 19.6 | 1953-04-24 | 2 | 31°43'N / 91°04'W | 32°35'N / 89°46'W | 96.70 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 19.9 | 1953-01-22 | 2 | 31°33'N / 90°53'W | 31°55'N / 90°37'W | 29.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Issaquena |
| 21.5 | 1980-10-27 | 2 | 31°35'N / 90°36'W | 1.00 Mile | 400 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Lincoln | |
| 21.8 | 2010-12-31 | 2 | 32°05'N / 90°22'W | 32°13'N / 90°12'W | 14.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.0M | 0K | Hinds |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado first touched down in Midway Estates just to the west of Midway Road. Initially the tornado knocked down a few trees and caused minor shingle damage to roofs. The tornado tracked northeast crossing Tank Road, Green Gable Road, and Lebanon-Pinegrove Road. The damage was predominantly downed trees and minor structural damage. The tornado then moved nearly parallel to Interstate 55 and passed through Byram. Numerous structures were damaged, dozens of billboards were blown out, a tanker truck was overturned, numerous power poles were snapped and numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado was the most intense at this point with winds estimated to be around 120 mph. In addition, the maximum path width of 1/2 mile occurred in Byram. The tornado then crossed the Pearl River into Rankin County. The tornado was on the ground for almost 14 miles in Hinds County with a total path length of 26 miles through both Hinds and Rankin Counties. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A potent storm system brought a prolonged outbreak of severe thunderstorms to the Lower Mississippi Valley region from the afternoon hours of New Years Eve lasting through the morning hours of New Years Day. This rare combination of high instability and wind shear is mainly what supported the large outbreak and multiple strong tornadoes. National Weather Service storm survey teams found 11 total tornadoes which occurred during this event. Of the 11, two were EF-3 with two more EF-2. Six were EF-1 with one EF-0. Damaging straight line winds also brought numerous trees and large limbs down across the area. Large hail also occurred during the event with reports ranging from quarter to golf ball size. In addition, flash flooding was a significant issue across the area. Roads were flooded in several locations, some vehicles were submerged in flood waters, and a few evacuations took place as a result of rising flood waters. | |||||||||||
| 21.9 | 1994-01-27 | 2 | 31°31'N / 90°31'W | 31°35'N / 90°25'W | 6.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 7 | 500K | 0 | Lincoln |
| Brief Description: Within the broad damage path across Lincoln county was a distinct path of convergent damage. Several mobile homes were totally destroyed. One frame house was totally destroyed. A sawmill was totally destroyed. Seven people were injured in the mobile homes. Many trees and power poles and lines were blown down. | |||||||||||
| 22.5 | 1987-11-16 | 2 | 32°04'N / 90°23'W | 32°15'N / 90°10'W | 14.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Hinds |
| 22.6 | 1958-02-26 | 3 | 32°03'N / 90°28'W | 32°18'N / 90°10'W | 24.60 Miles | 60 Yards | 1 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hinds |
| 23.0 | 1974-01-28 | 3 | 32°07'N / 90°43'W | 32°17'N / 90°13'W | 31.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Hinds |
| 23.6 | 1975-01-10 | 4 | 31°31'N / 90°14'W | 31°43'N / 90°07'W | 15.40 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lawrence |
| 24.2 | 1975-01-10 | 4 | 31°45'N / 90°07'W | 31°52'N / 89°58'W | 11.90 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Simpson |
| 24.3 | 1999-02-27 | 3 | 31°37'N / 90°14'W | 31°43'N / 89°59'W | 17.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0 | Lawrence |
| Brief Description: This strong tornado moved across Northern Lawrence county through mainly rural areas knocking down many trees and power lines. Many homes received damage, particularly near the towns of Sontag and New Hebron. Several homes received major damage. | |||||||||||
| 24.8 | 1978-04-17 | 2 | 31°20'N / 90°38'W | 31°42'N / 90°27'W | 27.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lincoln |
| 25.4 | 1983-04-01 | 2 | 32°13'N / 90°19'W | 0.70 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Rankin | |
| 25.8 | 1974-02-21 | 3 | 31°33'N / 90°12'W | 31°39'N / 90°05'W | 9.80 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 13 | 250K | 0 | Lawrence |
| 26.7 | 2004-02-05 | 2 | 31°59'N / 90°06'W | 32°06'N / 89°59'W | 8.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Simpson |
| Brief Description: This tornado touched down just to the northwest of Harrisville and tracked northeast, passing just to the west of Braxton. This tornado caused damage to several homes along Star-Braxton Road. These homes sustained mainly roof damage along with a few homes having windows blown out. One well-constructed home had its roof peeled back. This roofing material was blown several hundred feet down wind and wrapped around trees and a fence. The worst damage occurred 1.5 miles west-norhtwest of Braxton. Here, 70 percent of the forest was flattened. The tornado continued to move northeast into Rankin county, crossing Highway 49 at the Simpson and Rankin county line. | |||||||||||
| 26.9 | 1976-03-29 | 4 | 31°57'N / 90°12'W | 32°03'N / 89°50'W | 22.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Simpson |
| 27.7 | 1972-04-21 | 3 | 31°25'N / 90°28'W | 31°31'N / 90°22'W | 9.10 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lincoln |
| 27.8 | 1969-01-23 | 4 | 31°41'N / 91°03'W | 31°46'N / 90°44'W | 19.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 27.8 | 1969-01-23 | 4 | 31°54'N / 90°10'W | 32°03'N / 89°49'W | 23.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 12 | 65 | 250K | 0 | Simpson |
| 28.3 | 1986-04-12 | 2 | 31°31'N / 90°22'W | 31°26'N / 90°15'W | 8.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lincoln |
| 28.4 | 1966-03-03 | 5 | 32°11'N / 90°33'W | 32°21'N / 90°07'W | 27.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 57 | 504 | 25.0M | 0 | Hinds |
| 28.5 | 1983-05-20 | 2 | 32°15'N / 90°33'W | 32°18'N / 90°29'W | 4.00 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hinds |
| 28.5 | 1969-04-13 | 2 | 31°38'N / 90°03'W | 31°42'N / 90°00'W | 5.60 Miles | 140 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lawrence |
| 29.1 | 2008-12-09 | 2 | 32°06'N / 90°03'W | 32°07'N / 90°02'W | 1.00 Mile | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 800K | 0K | Rankin |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado touched down just northwest of Star along Highway 49 and tracked along Muse Road for a mile. The tornado caused extensive damage to the Star baseball field. It knocked down the light fixtures off the poles. Metal fences were blown down and the dugout structure was destroyed. Damage to a couple of cars in the area also occurred due to fallen trees. The tornado damaged a residence with an 8 foot hole to the roof and completely destroyed a well constructed metal outbuilding that housed a small personal airplane. This is where the tornado was at peak intensity with winds estimated to be around 112 mph and a rating of EF2. Most of the other damage along the path was uprooted and snapped trees. The top to a small well house was also toppled. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A round of severe thunderstorms containing tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds, occurred Tuesday December 9th into Tuesday night across much of the Lower Mississippi River Valley. These storms developed along and ahead of a strong surface cold front and strong upper level disturbance. A surface low developed to our west and tracked eastward increasing the winds and drawing northward deep moisture and instability. The cold front steadily pushed east and clashed with the unstable and highly sheared environment and produced numerous severe thunderstorms as a squall line developed and tracked eastward across the region. This event produced 16 tornadoes along with many reports of large hail, and wind damage. The majority of the severe weather occurred across central and southern Mississippi. Of the 16 tornadoes, 2 were rated EF2, 8 rated EF1, and 6 rated EF0. Historically, these 16 tornadoes rank 2nd all time for the number of tornadoes in the month of December. The record is 19 which occurred during the December of 1988. Additionally, this December 9th event has pushed the yearly total of tornadoes in Mississippi to 109. This will set a new record for the number of tornadoes in a year for the state of Mississippi. The previous record of 99 was set in 2005. | |||||||||||
| 29.1 | 2004-12-07 | 2 | 32°13'N / 90°44'W | 32°18'N / 90°32'W | 13.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Hinds |
| Brief Description: This tornado moved into Hinds county from Claiborne county and intensified as it tracked northeast across west-central Hinds county. A few thousand trees were uprooted and snapped along the 13 mile path. Just off State Highway 27, large barn was severely damaged and a home had its roof torn off along Newman Road. On Puckett Road, a home was damaged and the garage had its roof torn off. A few more homes sustained damage as the tornado moved northeast. The tornado dissipated 5 miles southwest of Bolton. The total path length across Warren, Claiborne and Hinds county was 26 miles. | |||||||||||
| 29.4 | 2005-09-25 | 2 | 31°51'N / 90°58'W | 31°52'N / 90°56'W | 2.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 20K | 100K | Claiborne |
| Brief Description: This strong tornado touched down in the Red Lick Community, of Jefferson county, and tracked northeast into Claiborne county. Extensive tree damage occurred along the path with hundreds of trees uprooted and snapped. One mobile home was destroyed and a framed house had most of the roof torn off and an outside wall blown out. One injury occurred as the mobile home was rolled over and destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 30.1 | 1967-12-02 | 3 | 31°22'N / 90°36'W | 31°31'N / 90°31'W | 11.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lincoln |
| 30.6 | 2005-09-25 | 2 | 31°47'N / 91°00'W | 31°50'N / 90°56'W | 5.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 1 | 300K | 500K | Jefferson |
| Brief Description: This strong tornado touched down in the Red Lick Community, of Jefferson county, and tracked northeast into Claiborne county. Extensive tree damage occurred along the path with hundreds of trees uprooted and snapped. One mobile home was destroyed and a framed house had most of the roof torn off and an outside wall blown out. One injury occurred as the mobile home was rolled over and destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 30.7 | 1973-12-04 | 2 | 32°04'N / 90°55'W | 0.10 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Claiborne | |
| 30.7 | 1976-03-29 | 2 | 31°27'N / 90°16'W | 0.20 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Lincoln | |
| 31.2 | 1975-01-10 | 4 | 31°21'N / 90°22'W | 31°31'N / 90°14'W | 14.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 5 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | Lincoln |
| 31.6 | 1978-04-18 | 4 | 31°33'N / 90°07'W | 31°35'N / 89°58'W | 9.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 4 | 31 | 250K | 0 | Lawrence |
| 31.8 | 1976-03-30 | 3 | 31°40'N / 91°11'W | 31°45'N / 90°44'W | 27.00 Miles | 1583 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 32.1 | 2006-05-10 | 2 | 31°40'N / 91°00'W | 31°38'N / 90°52'W | 7.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 120K | 500K | Jefferson |
| Brief Description: This tornado was the 3rd tornado to occur from supercell 3. The tornado touched down about 5 miles southeast of Fayette and tracked east for 7 miles across southern Jefferson County. Much of the damage along the path was to trees, where thousands were snapped and uprooted. The most intense damage was in a small area about 6 miles west-southwest of Union Church along Perth Road where nearly every tree, many of them large, in a heavily forested area were snapped or uprooted. The damage here was rated at the low end of F2 with the rest of the path consisting of F1 damage. Luckily no homes were in the path of the tornado, but two sheds were destroyed and a gazebo was heavily damaged. | |||||||||||
| 32.3 | 2004-11-24 | 2 | 31°45'N / 90°04'W | 31°55'N / 89°44'W | 24.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.5M | 0 | Simpson |
| Brief Description: This tornado continued out of northern Lawrence county and moved into southwest Simpson county 5 miles southwest of the Shivers community. As this tornado tracked northeast, several hundred trees were uprooted and snapped. Several chicken houses sustained major damage along with a few totally destroyed. Three homes sustained major damage and nine mobile homes sustained major damage. This tornado tracked across several highways including State Highway 28 and 13. This tornado also crossed US Highway 49, 4 miles northwest of Magee. Here the tornado severely damaged the VFW Post 9122 building and rolled over an RV. This tornado weakened as moved a little more northeast and dissipated 4 miles north of Magee. | |||||||||||
| 32.3 | 1950-03-27 | 2 | 32°17'N / 90°16'W | 32°18'N / 90°10'W | 6.20 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Hinds |
| 32.6 | 1972-01-09 | 2 | 31°44'N / 89°55'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson Davis | |
| 32.6 | 1968-11-17 | 2 | 31°41'N / 89°57'W | 31°40'N / 89°56'W | 1.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lawrence |
| 32.9 | 1987-11-16 | 2 | 32°15'N / 90°10'W | 32°18'N / 90°09'W | 6.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Rankin |
| 33.0 | 1950-03-27 | 2 | 32°17'N / 90°16'W | 32°18'N / 90°07'W | 9.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Hinds |
| 33.0 | 1987-11-16 | 2 | 31°49'N / 90°01'W | 32°03'N / 89°46'W | 20.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Simpson |
| 33.7 | 1976-03-26 | 4 | 31°47'N / 90°01'W | 31°54'N / 89°44'W | 18.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 11 | 2.5M | 0 | Simpson |
| 34.2 | 1968-11-17 | 2 | 31°41'N / 89°59'W | 31°41'N / 89°50'W | 8.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lawrence |
| 34.2 | 2005-04-06 | 3 | 32°08'N / 90°07'W | 32°17'N / 89°56'W | 15.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 6 | 11.0M | 150K | Rankin |
| Brief Description: This tornado developed just SE of Florence between US Highway 49 and State Highway 469. For the first 3 miles, the tornado steadily gained strength and downed many trees and power lines. At this time the intensity was F1 and F2. As the tornado approached the community of Monterey its intensity increased. The most significant damage occurred along a 2 mile path a few miles SE and E of Monterey. Thomasville Road and E Monterey Road were the hardest hit. Here the tornado destroyed or significantly damaged nearly 3 dozen homes, a dozen mobile homes and caused 6 injuries. The tornado continued to move to the NE and moved through the Richland Creek bottom. As it continued NE toward the south side of Brandon, the tornado weakened. The path crossed Star Road and then State Highway 18. Where it crossed Highway 18, the tornado damaged the new Brandon High School, which was under construction, and demolished several construction trailers. The damage to the school comprised of a portion of the roof blown off and windows blown out. The tornado continued to weaken, downing more trees, as it crossed Shiloh Road, Interstate 20 and US Highway 80 where it dissipated. This tornado did cause significant timber damage, mainly between Monterey and where it cross Interstate 20. Several thousand trees were snapped, uprooted or damaged by this wide and long track strong tornado. | |||||||||||
| 34.3 | 1973-12-04 | 2 | 32°20'N / 90°39'W | 2.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hinds | |
| 34.6 | 1961-02-20 | 2 | 31°36'N / 89°57'W | 31°46'N / 89°51'W | 12.90 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson Davis |
| 34.6 | 1983-04-05 | 2 | 31°27'N / 90°51'W | 31°30'N / 90°47'W | 5.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Franklin |
| 34.7 | 1974-02-21 | 3 | 31°46'N / 89°57'W | 31°54'N / 89°46'W | 14.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Simpson |
| 34.8 | 1986-03-12 | 2 | 31°21'N / 90°32'W | 31°23'N / 90°30'W | 3.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lincoln |
| 35.3 | 1976-02-18 | 2 | 32°18'N / 90°18'W | 32°22'N / 90°06'W | 12.70 Miles | 27 Yards | 0 | 50 | 2.5M | 0 | Hinds |
| 35.3 | 1961-11-15 | 2 | 32°20'N / 90°41'W | 32°21'N / 90°40'W | 1.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Hinds |
| 36.1 | 1961-11-15 | 2 | 32°21'N / 90°40'W | 32°22'N / 90°39'W | 1.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Warren |
| 36.1 | 1978-04-17 | 3 | 31°57'N / 91°11'W | 32°04'N / 90°54'W | 18.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25.0M | 0 | Claiborne |
| 36.1 | 1982-04-03 | 2 | 32°02'N / 91°02'W | 0 | 40 | 0K | 0 | Adams | |||
| 36.2 | 1986-04-12 | 2 | 31°26'N / 90°15'W | 31°23'N / 90°03'W | 13.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lawrence |
| 36.3 | 1978-04-18 | 4 | 31°35'N / 89°58'W | 31°40'N / 89°50'W | 9.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Jefferson Davis |
| 36.3 | 1984-04-08 | 2 | 31°53'N / 91°08'W | 31°56'N / 91°00'W | 8.00 Miles | 10 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Claiborne |
| 36.5 | 1975-01-10 | 2 | 32°13'N / 90°02'W | 32°15'N / 89°58'W | 4.50 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Rankin |
| 36.5 | 1986-03-12 | 2 | 31°20'N / 90°31'W | 31°21'N / 90°32'W | 2.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pike |
| 36.7 | 1980-04-25 | 2 | 31°46'N / 89°59'W | 31°53'N / 89°40'W | 20.30 Miles | 900 Yards | 1 | 7 | 2.5M | 0 | Simpson |
| 36.7 | 2004-11-23 | 3 | 31°43'N / 91°12'W | 31°51'N / 90°56'W | 18.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 0 | Jefferson |
| Brief Description: This tornado touched down just west of the Natchez Trace, 8 miles west of Fayette and tracked northeast for 18 miles across Jefferson county. Between the Natchez Trace and highway 553 the tornado was in its early stages and produced F0 damage by downing several trees. Between highway 553 and US Highway 61 this tornado began to intensify and downed or snapped hundreds of trees. One mobile home and two sheds sustained minor damage as they were located on the northern edge of the circulation. As it approached US Highway 61, it moved through an open field and was at its widest point, 600 yards. Here a string of seven power poles were snapped and a large tractor shed was destroyed. The frame of the shed was made of large I-beams. These beams were snapped from their base as the shed was blown away. In the area around US Highway 61 four homes sustained major roof damage. On the east side of the highway one of these homes lost almost the entire roof and had every window blown out. For a three mile stretch between US Highway 61 and highway 552 the tornado was at its strongest and produced F3 damage. Every tree in the forest, along this stretch, was uprooted or snapped. The tornado began to weaken after passing across highway 552 and dissipated just on the other side of the Claiborne county line. | |||||||||||
| 37.6 | 1961-02-20 | 2 | 31°46'N / 89°51'W | 31°56'N / 89°46'W | 12.50 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 2 | 0K | 0 | Simpson |
| 37.6 | 1975-01-10 | 2 | 32°19'N / 90°21'W | 32°29'N / 90°17'W | 12.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Hinds |
| 38.0 | 1986-03-12 | 2 | 31°19'N / 90°36'W | 31°20'N / 90°31'W | 3.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Amite |
| 38.7 | 1981-03-31 | 2 | 31°17'N / 90°26'W | 31°21'N / 90°13'W | 13.70 Miles | 127 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pike |
| 38.7 | 1989-03-04 | 3 | 32°23'N / 90°22'W | 32°27'N / 90°16'W | 11.00 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Hinds |
| 39.0 | 1978-04-17 | 2 | 31°20'N / 90°42'W | 31°20'N / 90°38'W | 3.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Amite |
| 39.1 | 2005-09-25 | 2 | 31°42'N / 91°08'W | 31°48'N / 91°04'W | 10.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 180K | 300K | Jefferson |
| Brief Description: This strong tornado touched down a few miles west-southwest of Fayette and tracked north-northeast for 10 miles. Extensive tree damage occurred along the path with hundreds of trees snapped and uprooted. A couple of mobile homes were damaged and a house had part of its roof taken off. | |||||||||||
| 39.4 | 1971-12-15 | 3 | 31°35'N / 89°58'W | 31°40'N / 89°43'W | 15.90 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson Davis |
| 39.5 | 1965-03-01 | 2 | 31°18'N / 90°13'W | 31°23'N / 90°09'W | 7.20 Miles | 110 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Walthall |
| 39.7 | 1973-03-11 | 2 | 31°54'N / 89°48'W | 32°03'N / 89°46'W | 10.60 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Simpson |
| 40.1 | 1975-05-03 | 2 | 32°21'N / 90°47'W | 32°26'N / 90°42'W | 7.40 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Warren |
| 40.3 | 1992-11-21 | 4 | 32°05'N / 90°13'W | 32°29'N / 89°43'W | 37.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 10 | 98 | 25.0M | 0 | Rankin |
| 40.7 | 1971-02-21 | 4 | 32°20'N / 90°44'W | 32°32'N / 90°33'W | 17.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 2 | 28 | 0K | 0 | Warren |
| 41.0 | 2009-03-26 | 3 | 31°47'N / 89°51'W | 31°57'N / 89°39'W | 16.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 25 | 5.0M | 0K | Simpson |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado first touched down just north of Mount Zion Road in Southwest Simpson County and continued northeast through the northwest side of Magee and then across the Smith County line before lifting near South County Road 503. Along the path, 60 homes were damaged or destroyed. A large, well-built church was destroyed. A warehouse was significantly damaged and a radio tower was snapped. Hundreds of hardwood and softwood trees were snapped and uprooted. The highest winds occurred at the church and nearby houses and trees just southwest of Magee along and just off Highway 28. Maximum winds were around 150 mph. The EF3 rating was in Simpson County while the highest rated damage in Smith County was EF1. Total path length across both counties was near 18 miles. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A round of severe thunderstorms, containing tornadoes and damaging straight line winds, occurred Wednesday night, March 25, into early Thursday morning, March 26. These storms developed as a strong upper level disturbance encountered an unstable environment over the lower Mississippi Valley. A squall line of showers and thunderstorms pushed rapidly eastward across the area. One supercell storm formed ahead of the main line and produced a strong tornado which hit the town of Magee. Eight tornadoes were confirmed from this event. Of the 8 tornadoes, 1 was rated EF3, 1 was rated EF2, 4 were rated EF1, and 2 were rated EF0. Numerous other locations experienced damaging straight line winds in excess of 60-70 mph. The worst damage occurred from a tornado which laid a 17.5 mile long track across Simpson and Smith counties. This storm was rated as EF3 with estimated 150 mph maximum winds near Magee. A second strong tornado, rated EF2 with 125 mph winds, effected Jones County near Soso. | |||||||||||
| 41.4 | 1975-01-10 | 4 | 31°11'N / 90°32'W | 31°21'N / 90°22'W | 15.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 4 | 200 | 25.0M | 0 | Pike |
| 41.6 | 1990-04-27 | 2 | 31°52'N / 89°42'W | 31°58'N / 89°47'W | 5.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Simpson |
| 41.8 | 1990-12-21 | 2 | 32°13'N / 91°04'W | 32°15'N / 90°58'W | 5.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Madison |
| 41.8 | 1969-01-23 | 4 | 32°03'N / 89°49'W | 32°05'N / 89°44'W | 5.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Rankin |
| 41.8 | 2005-04-06 | 2 | 31°15'N / 90°18'W | 31°20'N / 90°09'W | 7.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 0 | Walthall |
| Brief Description: A tornado moved out of Pike County and entered Walthall County about 3 miles west northwest of Dinan and continued travelling north northeast until it dissipated approximately 2 miles west of Sartinsville. The tornado caused significant damage to 25 houses, 10 trailers, and 2 businesses in Walthall County. A meso-cyclone thunderstorm produced a tornado as moved on an intermittent path northeastward across eastern Pike County and northwest Walthall County. | |||||||||||
| 41.9 | 1953-12-05 | 5 | 32°20'N / 90°54'W | 32°25'N / 90°47'W | 9.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 38 | 270 | 25.0M | 0 | Warren |
| 42.2 | 1976-03-29 | 4 | 32°03'N / 89°50'W | 32°07'N / 89°43'W | 8.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Rankin |
| 42.5 | 1973-03-11 | 2 | 32°03'N / 89°46'W | 32°04'N / 89°45'W | 2.30 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Rankin |
| 42.8 | 2003-04-24 | 3 | 32°15'N / 90°00'W | 32°21'N / 89°51'W | 12.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 6 | 50.0M | 0 | Rankin |
| Brief Description: This strong tornado moved directly through downtown Brandon damaging or destroying several businesses, one school and dozens of homes. In addition to structural damage, hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted as the tornado move to the NE. | |||||||||||
| 42.9 | 1983-11-19 | 3 | 32°20'N / 90°56'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Madison | |
| 43.0 | 1992-11-21 | 3 | 31°26'N / 89°55'W | 31°39'N / 89°44'W | 15.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson Davis |
| 43.5 | 1957-04-04 | 3 | 31°53'N / 89°46'W | 31°56'N / 89°39'W | 7.70 Miles | 167 Yards | 0 | 50 | 250K | 0 | Simpson |
| 43.8 | 1963-06-21 | 2 | 31°13'N / 90°27'W | 31°15'N / 90°25'W | 3.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Pike |
| 43.9 | 1972-01-04 | 2 | 31°21'N / 90°53'W | 1.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Franklin | |
| 44.8 | 1970-10-13 | 2 | 32°00'N / 89°42'W | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Simpson | |||
| 44.9 | 1975-01-10 | 2 | 32°29'N / 90°17'W | 32°31'N / 90°16'W | 2.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Madison |
| 45.3 | 1988-11-26 | 2 | 32°27'N / 90°49'W | 32°30'N / 90°40'W | 9.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Warren |
| 45.6 | 1950-03-27 | 2 | 32°18'N / 90°10'W | 32°29'N / 89°47'W | 25.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Rankin |
| 46.0 | 1977-01-09 | 2 | 31°55'N / 89°40'W | 1.00 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Smith | |
| 46.0 | 1958-11-14 | 2 | 31°12'N / 90°17'W | 31°14'N / 90°16'W | 3.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Quitman |
| 46.1 | 1966-06-16 | 2 | 32°26'N / 90°52'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Warren | |
| 46.2 | 1992-11-21 | 3 | 31°39'N / 89°44'W | 31°46'N / 89°38'W | 12.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 100 | 25.0M | 0 | Covington |
| 46.4 | 1983-05-19 | 2 | 32°27'N / 90°07'W | 32°29'N / 90°04'W | 4.00 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Madison |
| 46.7 | 1971-12-10 | 3 | 31°17'N / 89°59'W | 31°30'N / 89°47'W | 19.10 Miles | 133 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Marion |
| 47.0 | 1980-10-17 | 2 | 32°32'N / 90°17'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Madison | |
| 47.1 | 1996-04-22 | 2 | 32°22'N / 90°58'W | 32°33'N / 90°44'W | 21.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0 | Warren |
| Brief Description: This tornado moved out of Louisiana and continued through Warren county in Mississippi. The tornado moved through a very sparcely populated area. Two houses had the roofs blown off. Numerous trees were blown down. | |||||||||||
| 47.1 | 1983-05-18 | 2 | 31°55'N / 91°15'W | 0.10 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Tensas | |
| 47.4 | 1969-04-13 | 2 | 31°45'N / 89°40'W | 31°47'N / 89°38'W | 3.30 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 11 | 250K | 0 | Covington |
| 47.5 | 1995-11-11 | 3 | 32°31'N / 90°24'W | 32°33'N / 90°06'W | 15.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 500K | 0 | Madison |
| Brief Description: The tornado began at 0310 five miles west-southwest of Flora and traveled in an easterly direction and lifted five miles southwest of Canton at around 0330. Three mobile homes were totally destroyed. A two story house was almost totally destroyed and two of the occupants were injured. A pickup truck in front of this house was picked up and hurled into a lake nearly 100 yard behind the house. At least five houses had roof damage. Two houses under construction were leveled. Numerous trees, fences, and small buildings were blown down along the path of the tornado. | |||||||||||
| 47.6 | 1958-02-26 | 3 | 32°18'N / 90°10'W | 32°35'N / 89°50'W | 27.60 Miles | 60 Yards | 1 | 14 | 250K | 0 | Rankin |
| 47.6 | 2001-11-24 | 4 | 32°26'N / 90°12'W | 32°34'N / 90°03'W | 11.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 2 | 21 | 12.0M | 0 | Madison |
| Brief Description: A violent tornado touched down about six miles west-southwest of the city of Madison. The touchdown point of the tornado was just south of the Fairfield subdivision, which is a large, well built subdivision of mostly brick homes. Numerous houses were seriously damaged or destroyed as the tornado, as much as one half mile wide, moved across the subdivision. Several houses in the subdivision in the direct path of the tornado were blown off of their foundations. One 25 year old woman was killed, and a pregnant woman was critically injured as the tornado destroyed their houses. The baby of the pregnant woman was delivered at the hospital and died shortly after birth. After the storm moved across the Fairfield subdivision, it continued moving northeast through several other subdivisions and large houses in the Madison and Gluckstadt communities. The tornado travelled 11.5 miles, crossing Interstate 55 before dissipating over central Madison County, about 3.5 miles south-southwest of Canton. In addition to the two deaths, a total of 21 people were injured. Damage in the county included 47 houses and seven mobile homes destroyed, 37 houses and three mobile homes with major damage, and 67 houses and three mobile homes with minor damage. F25PH, M0PH | |||||||||||
| 47.7 | 1995-04-20 | 2 | 32°29'N / 90°49'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 20K | 0 | Warren | |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down near the intersection of Highways 61 and 3. Several trees and power lines were blown down. A few buildings were destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 47.8 | 1983-05-18 | 2 | 32°21'N / 91°02'W | 0.10 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Madison | |
| 47.8 | 1972-01-09 | 2 | 31°50'N / 89°43'W | 31°54'N / 89°33'W | 10.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Simpson |
| 47.8 | 1977-12-13 | 3 | 31°07'N / 90°33'W | 31°14'N / 90°25'W | 11.40 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Pike |
| 48.1 | 1958-02-26 | 3 | 31°58'N / 90°06'W | 32°35'N / 89°28'W | 56.40 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Simpson |
| 48.4 | 1962-11-11 | 2 | 31°10'N / 90°28'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pike | |||
| 49.5 | 1969-04-13 | 2 | 31°47'N / 89°38'W | 31°50'N / 89°35'W | 4.70 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Smith |
| 49.6 | 1996-04-22 | 2 | 32°15'N / 91°13'W | 32°22'N / 91°01'W | 15.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 1 | 500K | 0 | Madison |
| Brief Description: This strong tornado moved across Madison Parish to the Mississippi River and continued into Warren county in Mississippi. Twenty to thirty structures were damaged or destroyed along the path of this tornado. The weaker structures such as barns and outhouses were destroyed and the houses had major damage. Numerous trees were blown down along the path. One injury occurred when a man was thrown out of his barn and landed in a field. | |||||||||||
| 49.7 | 1971-12-10 | 3 | 31°29'N / 89°44'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Jefferson Davis | |||
| 50.0 | 1961-02-20 | 2 | 31°25'N / 89°46'W | 31°32'N / 89°42'W | 9.10 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 4 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson Davis |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.