F4 Tornado — Bolivar, Mississippi

2001-11-24 · near Stringtown, Bolivar, Mississippi

Event narrative

A supercell thunderstorm moved out of Chicot County Arkansas into northern Washington County, Mississippi. The storm produced a violent tornado that touced down 2.5 miles southwest of Winterville, or along the northern edge of Lake Ferguson. The tornado had a width of up to one half mile and moved through the town of Winterville, causing extensive damage. It then continued northeast into southern Bolivar county about 2 miles northeast of Winterville. The total path length in Washington County was 4.8 miles. The tornado entered southern Bolivar County about 3.5 miles southwest of Stringtown. It travelled northeast 25.5 miles through mostly rural areas of Bolivar County and lifted one mile southeast of Mound Bayou. In Washington County, the tornado caused 12 injuries, mainly in the community of Winterville. In Bolivar County, 36 people were injured, including one 7 year old boy who was critically injured. In Washinton County, a total of six houses, five mobile homes, and two businesses were totally destroyed. Additionally, extensive damage was done to 34 houses and six businesses. Minor damage occurred to over 30 houses and several mobile homes. Total damage to the county was estimated to be around $3.5 million. In Bolivar County, the tornado destroyed ten houses, two mobile homes, and four businesses. Extensive damage occurred to 21 houses, one mobile home, and one business. Minor damage occurred to over 20 houses and around 20 mobile homes. The tornado caused extensive damage to the Bolivar County Detention Center, and hit an electric power substation. The substation was totally destroyed it. At the substation, the tornado blew over a tranformer that weighed approximately 25 tons, and slid another transformer sideways three feet. Total damage in Bolivar County was estimated at around $6 million.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.5333, -91.0500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5272551. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.