EF3 Tornado — Pearl River, Mississippi

2012-12-25 · near Mill Creek, Pearl River, Mississippi

Event narrative

The tornado initially touched down on Harris Road on the southwest side of McNeil causing EF0 and EF1 damage, where it snapped several pine trees. It moved northeastward and rapidly intensified, resulting in a small area of upper range EF-2 and low end EF-3 damage along Joe Smith Road and Sones Chapel Road. The worst damage occurred when a single story brick veneer triplex dwelling was destroyed with only two small interior walls standing. The tornado weakened after crossing Highway 11, causing mainly tree and minor roof damage, until it re-intensified in the far northeast corner of Pearl River County near Red Hill church Road. It caused upper range EF-1 damage as it was leaving Pearl River County into Stone County. County officials preliminary estimate of 22 homes destroyed, 8 homes with major damage, 16 homes with minor damage and an additional 9 homes affected. Eight people were transported by EMS to area hospitals, although additional minor injuries likely occurred. Maximum winds in Pearl River County were estimated around 140 mph. This tornado continued to track northeast across several more counties in south Mississippi for a total path length of 61 miles. Event times were based on radar and eyewitness accounts.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system moving across the middle Mississippi River Valley drove a strong cold front through the area. A squall line developed ahead of the cold front with isolated supercells ahead of the squall line. Multiple reports of severe weather were received.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.6500, -89.6810)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 423982. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.