EF4 tornado in Benton County, Mississippi

The tornado crossed from Marshall County into Benton County near Highway 4 west of Ashland. The tornado appeared to strengthen as it entered Benton County. Several houses west-northwest of Ashland has damage approaching EF-4 with EF-4 damage observed in Northeast Benton County. Six fatalities occurred in Benton County. Eighty-five structures were affected in Benton County. Seventeen homes and fifteen mobile homes were destroyed. Fifteen homes and three mobile homes suffered major damage. Twenty homes and seven mobile homes had minor damage. Many acres of timber were also damaged or destroyed. The tornado then continued into Tippah County.

Strong surface low pressure tracked from the Plains into the Mississippi River Valley while a strong cold front pushed into the Mid-South on December 23, 2015. A very moist and unstable airmass moved into the area as a warm front lifted north through the region during the early morning hours. A potent upper level disturbance help to trigger thunderstorms along and in advance of the approaching cold front. The necessary ingredients were in place for storm to rapidly intensify. Three tornadoes touched down across North Mississippi including an EF-4 that caused severe damage.