EF0 Tornado — Issaquena, Mississippi

2021-05-02 · near Valley Park, Issaquena, Mississippi

Event narrative

This tornado developed over the Yazoo River along the Issaquena/Yazoo county line, snapping some large branches and small trees along the river levy. The tornado moved northeast across mainly open farmland west and then north of Satartia, crossing the Yazoo River two additional times. Several irrigation pivots were overturned along the track. Two mobile homes were damaged along Holly Bluff Satartia Rd. The tornado strengthened to high end EF-1 status after crossing the Yazoo River for the third time, where three farm buildings were completely demolished with debris blown down the path into a stand of trees. Tree damage increased as the tornado crossed out of the Delta across MS Highway 3 near Tinsley, with the path beginning to widen as it crossed Ridge Rd, Center Ridge Rd, and US Highway 49. Another area of high end EF1 damage occurred here where two mobile homes were demolished as they were rolled with some debris scattered downstream. Several other structures in this area were damaged by fallen trees. Considerable tree damage continued as the tornado crossed MS Highway 16 southeast of Yazoo City. Structural damage in this area not resulting from fallen trees was mainly limited to roof and shingle damage. Some outbuildings were also damaged. The tornado began to weaken as it crossed Ingram Rd and Mollett Rd before lifting near Fouche Pit Rd east of Yazoo City. Estimated peak wind speeds in Issaquena County were 70 mph. Maximum tornado width was 300 yards. Maximum wind speed of the entire tornado was 110mph and total path length was 30.15 miles.

Wider weather episode

An upper-level shortwave trough moved from East Texas across Arkansas during the afternoon of May 2nd. At the surface, a warm front associated with the system developed and lifted north across Mississippi. Severe thunderstorms developed along and south of the warm front through the afternoon and evening, producing several tornadoes and scattered wind damage extending from the southwestern and west-central Mississippi toward north-central and northeastern portions of the state.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.6258, -90.7173)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 958282. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.