EF4 tornado in Walthall County, Mississippi

A tornado entering Walthal County from Pike County, already over a half a mile wide, was still strengthening. Pockets of EF3 damaged occurred all along the path as it continued through Walthall County. West of Tylertown on the north side of Mississippi Highway 98, a well built, well anchored home, was swept from the foundation, leaving debris in a pile and thrown behind the home. This home was determined to have 170 MPH EF4 damage. It is likely the tornado was at EF4 strength at other parts on the track but with only manufactured homes in rural areas impacted, this house is currently the only EF4 damage in Walthall County. The EF3 damage throughout the county was all demolished single or double wide manufactured home with the debris swept away. Widespread snapped and uprooted trees were noted on ground surveys and via drone and satellite. 3 fatalities were noted with this tornado. The ground survey team learned about 10 injuries. Satellite and drone imagery analysis was used to help in estimating the path width to be 0.8 miles or around 1400 yards. After being on the ground for 45 minutes already, the tornado crossed county lines into northwest Marion County, MS which is under the responsibility of the NWS Jackson weather forecast office.

The tornado would continue for an additional 30 miles producing more EF-3 and EF-4 damage up through Carson, MS before finally dissipating southwest of Williamsburg, MS. In total, the tornado was on the ground for 82 minutes and carved out a 67.7-mile-long damage path from near Kentwood, LA all the way through Carson, MS.

A potent weather system impacted the local area, producing a rare EF-4 tornado. Only a few tornadoes that strong have developed in the local forecast area. Just as impressive. an EF-3 tornado tracked barely a mile to the east of the EF-4 and only 45 minutes later. The environment needed for violent and long lived tornadoes, were in place right as a cold front approached from the west. Unfortunately, there were 4 fatalities with the tornadoes that did develop.