EF4 Tornado — Covington, Mississippi

2025-03-15 · near Williamsburg, Covington, Mississippi

Event narrative

An EF-4 tornado touched down in Tangipahoa Parish just northeast of Kentwood, LA and produced EF-1 damage northeast through most of Southeast Pike County in Mississippi. As it crossed into Walthall County, EF-2 damage was noted. Pockets of EF-3 damaged occurred all along the path as it continued through Walthall County. West of Tylertown on the north side of US 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 EF-4 damage. It is likely the tornado was at EF-4 strength at other parts on the track but with only manufactured homes in rural areas impacted, this house is currently the only EF-4 damage in Walthall County. The EF-3 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. Three fatalities were noted with this tornado. The ground survey team learned of at least 10 injuries from family members. This strong to violent tornado entered Marion County moving northeast near Morgantown Road and produced damage in the EF-2 to EF-3 range including great damage to forested areas as well as numerous homes including mobile homes and wood frame and brick veneer houses. The most intense damage areas in northwest Marion County were along Molly and Price roads and again at Whitebluff heading into the Pearl River bottom. The tornado carried northward through Whitebluff, crossed the Pearl River, and proceeded across Jefferson Davis County continuing to do substantial damage to vegetation and structures consistent with EF-2 to EF-3 intensity. There were corridors of more intense damage across Jefferson Davis County. Areas along Storey Parkman Road and Smith Road, as well as areas along Alex Daley Road and MS Highway 35. Just prior to crossing into Covington County, the tornado underwent structural changes and briefly weakened and became much smaller. Before it ultimately dissipated west of Collins, the tornado dramatically tightened to only 100-150 yards across. At this point, as the tornado crossed Blackjack New Chapel Road and Wilson Road, the much smaller tornado reached EF-3 intensity and destroyed several walls and removed the roof of a brick home. In the same vicinity, and just on the south side of Blackjack New Chapel Road, the tornado demolished a mobile home, wrapping and suspending its frame between two large pine trees. Nearby, a large mature oak was left a splintered stump. The vortex intensified further becoming a violent EF-4 tornado as it impacted a small home on Wilson Road, destroying it completely and clearing much of the debris free of the concrete slab. A tractor trailer nearby was overturned and pulled 30-40 yards into the vortex. Two mobile homes were completely destroyed including one which was thrown to the west, opposite of storm motion. Additionally, a metal building system workshop was partially impacted by the tornado vortex, and its frame became twisted with portions of the iron beams becoming lofted and thrown. The particular house destroyed had a portion of the home located within mixed debris on the west side of the slab foundation and the remainder of the home debris strewn downstream. Of note, two reclining chairs were located in the living room of the home according to witnesses. One was discovered in each debris pile despite originating in close proximity. The home showed minimal signs of rot or structural fatigue, but the anchoring system had fewer anchor bolts than is of typical construction and the bolts were placed closer to the edge of the concrete slab than is typical as well. These structural deficiencies preclude consideration of higher assessment despite the completeness of destruction. The resident of this home fled to a brick building upon receiving storm warning. The tornado continued northeast at a generally weakening, but still strong, intensity as it moved across Spring Hill School Road. The tornado dissipated in a forested area just north of the road west of Collins, MS. Coincidentally, 41 minutes later a second strong tornado would intersect this path as well, just north of Spring Hill School Road and just prior to the end point of this long track violent tornado. The estimated maximum wind speeds in Covington County were 145 mph. The total path length was 67.6 miles across the 6 parishes and counties.

Wider weather episode

Isolated severe thunderstorms developed across portions of Mississippi in the overnight hours of March 14th. Coverage of severe storms increased into the morning of the 15th before a squall line developed and moved across the area.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (31.5790, -89.7010)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1259924. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.