EF1 tornado in Warren County, Mississippi

An EF-1 tornado developed midday of March 22nd near the intersection of China Grove Road and Countryside Road, where it uprooted and snapped a few softwood trees consistent with EF-0 damage. It moved east-northeast and crossed US 45 where it snapped softwood trees along the west east side of Highway 27, where trees and powerlines were downed. The tornado then moved across Bovina Cutoff Road where at least two outbuildings suffered heavy roof damage and a large swath of trees in a mixed forest was knocked down. The trees were observed to have fallen in a convergent pattern and it was at this location that the tornado reached maximum intensity at EF-1 with approximately 105 mph winds. The tornado continued eastward across the Big Black River into Hinds County until reaching Smith Station Road where the tin from an outbuilding was lofted and thrown. The tornado then moved across the town of Edwards along a line from Potato House Rd., across Mt. Moriah Rd, and onto Vicksburg St. It was at this time that the tornado began to move more easterly and

into northeastern portions of town, with impacts noted along portions of Montgomery St. In Edwards, the primary damage incurred was due to falling trees with impacts suggesting an EF-0 rating. From Edwards, the tornado continued east along Interstate 20 where it briefly re-intensified to EF-1 intensity, downing dozens of trees and causing roof damage to outbuildings and residences. At one location just north of I-20, a large tree fell through a home causing significant damage as it fell through the roof and a wall. Additional snapped trees in mixed forest was noted near I-20 in the vicinity of Bolton-Edwards Elementary school on the I-20 frontage road as the tornado dissipated.

Additional downstream damage was isolated and scattered and likely associated with straight-line winds where trees and power lines were downed. The total path length of the tornado was around 14.8 miles. The maximum estimated wind speed of the tornado was 105 mph, which occurred in Warren County.

A strong storm system moved through the Lower Mississippi Valley on Tuesday March 22nd. An associated line of severe thunderstorms quickly raced across Mississippi during the day resulting in widespread wind damage and numerous tornadoes.