EF0 tornado in Harrison County, Mississippi

The damage path of a brief EF-0 tornado was identified via high resolution satellite imagery in northwest Harrison County. This tornado caused predominantly damaged to trees over inaccessible areas between West Wortham and McHenry roads. This focused damage path closely aligned with a strong tornado vortex signature that crossed through the area. The tornado apparently lifted as it crossed McHenry Rd as no other damage could be identified as the circulation lifted northward.

A mesoscale convective system formed on the eastern side of Post-Tropical Storm Arthur on June 18th. Favorable low level winds allowed for multiple mini-supercells to form on the leading edge of the mesoscale convective system resulting in a few tornadoes affecting coastal Mississippi. These tornadoes were rated as EF-0 and EF-1 events. A bow echo also developed over coastal Mississippi leading to severe winds and thunderstorm wind damage in the Gulfport-Biloxi metro area. Additionally, the mesoscale convective complex tapped into a region of deep tropical moisture with atmospheric moisture content well above normal levels for mid-June. This resulted in several significant flash flooding events in portions of coastal Mississippi including the city of Picayune. Two fatalities occurred near Picayune where rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour and QPE of 10 to 15 inches was noted. This very high rainfall total resulted in major flooding on the West Hobolochitto Creek on June 18th and this is where the fatalities occurred. Lingering moisture and weak upper level troughing associated with the slow moving remnants of Post-Tropical Storm Arthur produced additional thunderstorm activity on June 20th. This activity was focused in Biloxi where additional flash flooding occurred.