Tornado in Pearl River County, Mississippi

A weak tornado produced intermittent damage along a path from 2.5 miles west southwest of Picayune to 6 miles east of Picayune along Highway 43. Most of the damage occurred as the tornado moved across the southern portions of Picayune where a number of large commercial signs were damaged, a semi trailer was blown over, the roof of a business was partially ripped off, numerous trees were knocked down and damaged, and several service station canopies were heavily damaged. Several homes were damaged by falling trees.

A brief EF-1 tornado touched down just west of Bales Ave in Picayune, MS. This tornado quickly traveled northeast, with widespread tree damage in the eastern part of the town. Many trees were snapped at the base with multiple tin roofs ripped off as well as minor structural damage. The worst damage was to two trailers just west of the highway. One was spun 180 degrees and flipped with extensive damage and another rolled 100 yards and was completely obliterated. The tornado crossed the highway with other straight line wind damage noted along the damage path on|the east side of the highway. The tornado seems to have lifted near Northwood drive where a small shed was destroyed along with minor structural damage and multiple trees and branches snapped. On both sides of the path there was|evidence of straight line wind damage which was consistent with radar at the time. The width that was estimated was due to a wider swath seen in the east part of the city. It was difficult to distinguish tornado vs. straight line wind at times.

A weak tornado crossed into Pearl River County Mississippi from Washington Parish Louisiana about 3 miles north of Crossroads and produced intermittent damage along a path 8 miles long that ended four miles northwest of Poplarville. Most of the damage was to downed trees. Several houses and structures in Ford Creek Rd and Hilt Fornea Rd areas suffered damage.