Power Outage in Columbia, MS

An EF-2 tornado touched down just north of Ten Mile Creek Road in southern Marion County where it initially produced minor tree damage. An outbuilding was blown over in this area as well. The tornado quickly intensified and damaged the roof of a residence as it moved eastward. Nearby trees, power poles, and a flag pole were also blown down. The tornado tracked eastward where it continued to intensify and reached its maximum intensity with approximately 125 mph winds. Here, a cellular tower along Dunaway Loop was destroyed. As the tornado crossed Mississippi Highway 35, outbuildings were damaged, and snapped and uprooted trees were common in a narrow path. Sentinel satellite imagery indicated that the tornado continued eastward across the Pearl River and dissipated just west of Old River Road. A tornadic debris signature was observed on radar with this tornado.

An EF-2 tornado touched down just north of Ten Mile Creek Road in southern Marion County where it initially produced minor tree damage. An outbuilding was blown over in this area as well. The tornado quickly intensified and damaged the roof of a residence as it moved eastward. Nearby trees, power poles, and a flag pole were also blown down. The tornado tracked eastward where it continued to intensify and reached its maximum intensity with approximately 125 mph winds. Here, a cellular tower along Dunaway Loop was destroyed. As the tornado crossed Mississippi Highway 35, outbuildings were damaged, and snapped and uprooted trees were common in a narrow path. Sentinel satellite imagery indicated that the tornado continued eastward across the Pearl River and dissipated just west of Old River Road. A tornadic debris signature was observed on radar with this tornado.

Tropical storm force wind gusts resulted in several trees and power lines downed across the county.

A swath of wind damage occurred across central Marion County with numerous trees and power lines blown down.

A swath of wind damage occurred across central Marion County with numerous trees and power lines blown down.

Power lines were blown down at the corner of Highway 13 and Riverbend Road.

Freezing rain fell across the county. Accumulations around one quarter of an inch occurred in the northwest part of the county with lighter accumulations elsewhere. There was also sleet accumulation of around one tenth of an inch. Icing occurred in the trees and on some power lines. Numerous limbs were down and resulted in power outages.

Tropical depression force winds from Hurricane Zeta blew down scattered trees in the Columbia area and eastern parts of Lamar County. A tree in Columbia fell across power lines and into the roadway along White Road. A peak wind gust of 37 mph was measured at 8:15 p.m. CDT at the Columbia-Marion County Airport.

This violent tornado began over southeastern Walthall County in a field just west of Reagan Road and moved east northeastward along MS Highway 48, producing significant tree damage and minor damage to a few homes. It crossed into Marion County near the intersection of MS Highway 48 and Mt Bethel Road. The tornado then began to move more northeastward as it moved into southwestern Marion County, uprooting and snapping several softwood trees, causing minor roof damage to a home, and destroying an outdoor small shed along New Hope Road. It also snapped several trees and peeled the tin roof of a barn along A Pittman, Marks and Davis Roads. The tornado intensified relatively quickly once it moved northeast, snapping the majority of trees close to the ground in a wooded area east of New Hope Road. The basis for the low-end EF4 rating was a home on Johnson Road that was completely destroyed with its debris pushed to a corner of the foundation leaving residual vinyl flooring and a few of its anchor bolts bent. Furthermore, across the street from the aforementioned home, in a field a few of the snapped trees sustained patchy debarking. A higher rating was not assigned because the contents of the home were not spread a significant distance from the foundation and debris remained over a part of the slab. Nonetheless, significant damage to the home and nearby trees occurred. In addition, multiple wooden power poles were snapped, several other homes had significant roof damage and multiple mobile homes were completely destroyed, resulting in one fatality. Continual uprooting and snapping of trees was observed at Hurricane Creek Road, in addition to minor roof damage to a shed and a one-story home. When the tornado crossed Hurricane Creek Church Road, it caused significant roof damage to the Hurricane Creek Baptist Church and the nearby pastor's home. Behind the pastor's home was a large 40-foot shed that sat partially on cinder blocks and partially on a slab that was bolted down. This shed was completely destroyed as it was blown a few feet away. Several headstones in a cemetery were knocked over at this location as well. Additional roof damage to multiple homes and the uprooting and snapping of numerous trees along Hurricane Creek Road to the intersection of MS Highway 35. When the tornado reached MS Highway 35, it snapped multiple wooden power-poles and continued snapping trees. It continued east- northeast to Old MS Highway 35 causing numerous snapping of hardwood trees and the removal of a portion of a one-story home roof. The tornado continued moving east-northeast across the Pearl River bottom, when it reached MS Highway 43, multiple wooden power-poles were snapped, some minor roof damage occurred to some one-story homes and hardwood trees were snapped. Just east of MS Highway 43 along Joe Magee Road, a brick home sustained significant damage as the roof was completely destroyed and a few exterior walls were collapsed. A swath of snapped softwood trees was noted along Abrams Road thus producing EF2 damage.||Once the tornado reached MS Highway 13 and surrounding streets such as Pine Burr Road and Firetower Road near the Marion and Lamar county borders, a slight decline in strength was noted, though its path remained wide. Although, it was still snapping large tree limbs and snapping and uprooting some softwood trees, several of which fell onto wooden power poles and caused them to fall. The tornado maintained its east northeastward track, knocking thousands of trees down along with numerous power lines and poles down across the western portions of Lamar County. This tree damage was consistent with high end EF1 winds peaking between 100-110 mph. Around a dozen homes were damaged starting from Luther Saucier Rd to Purvis to Columbia Road, including one old mobile home that was completely destroyed. As the tornado continued to track east northeastward to the north of Purvis. It crossed Purvis Oloh Road, MS Highway 589 along with US 11. Hundreds of trees were damaged along with many power lines down. Some minor damage occurred to some homes. The tornado was slightly weaker here with winds between 90- 100mph. The tornado crossed I-59 into Forrest County along Ford and Elks Lodge Road in the Dixie community. Hundreds of trees were damaged along with many power lines down. Sheds and several homes had minor damage and one mobile home had the roof blown off. The tornado then crossed US 49 a couple miles north of Southgate Road. The tornado proceeded into Camp Shelby. At Camp Shelby, there were widespread snapped and uprooted trees. Multiple structures across the north half, in and around Lee Avenue to Glenn Walker Lake, had varying degrees of minor to moderate roof damage from the tornado or fallen trees. The park and camper area on the north end of the lake was impacted. One person was injured here as a large tree fell on a truck. The tornado then crossed over US 98 just west of the Perry County line. It continued into Perry County along the Leaf River bottom, snapping and uprooting trees. It continued to track just south of Old River Road before dissipating along Old River Road three miles northwest of New Augusta. Total path length was 53.76 miles.

This violent tornado began over southeastern Walthall County in a field just west of Reagan Road and moved east northeastward along MS Highway 48, producing significant tree damage and minor damage to a few homes. It crossed into Marion County near the intersection of MS Highway 48 and Mt Bethel Road. The tornado then began to move more northeastward as it moved into southwestern Marion County, uprooting and snapping several softwood trees, causing minor roof damage to a home, and destroying an outdoor small shed along New Hope Road. It also snapped several trees and peeled the tin roof of a barn along A Pittman, Marks and Davis Roads. The tornado intensified relatively quickly once it moved northeast, snapping the majority of trees close to the ground in a wooded area east of New Hope Road. The basis for the low-end EF4 rating was a home on Johnson Road that was completely destroyed with its debris pushed to a corner of the foundation leaving residual vinyl flooring and a few of its anchor bolts bent. Furthermore, across the street from the aforementioned home, in a field a few of the snapped trees sustained patchy debarking. A higher rating was not assigned because the contents of the home were not spread a significant distance from the foundation and debris remained over a part of the slab. Nonetheless, significant damage to the home and nearby trees occurred. In addition, multiple wooden power poles were snapped, several other homes had significant roof damage and multiple mobile homes were completely destroyed, resulting in one fatality. Continual uprooting and snapping of trees was observed at Hurricane Creek Road, in addition to minor roof damage to a shed and a one-story home. When the tornado crossed Hurricane Creek Church Road, it caused significant roof damage to the Hurricane Creek Baptist Church and the nearby pastor's home. Behind the pastor's home was a large 40-foot shed that sat partially on cinder blocks and partially on a slab that was bolted down. This shed was completely destroyed as it was blown a few feet away. Several headstones in a cemetery were knocked over at this location as well. Additional roof damage to multiple homes and the uprooting and snapping of numerous trees along Hurricane Creek Road to the intersection of MS Highway 35. When the tornado reached MS Highway 35, it snapped multiple wooden power-poles and continued snapping trees. It continued east- northeast to Old MS Highway 35 causing numerous snapping of hardwood trees and the removal of a portion of a one-story home roof. The tornado continued moving east-northeast across the Pearl River bottom, when it reached MS Highway 43, multiple wooden power-poles were snapped, some minor roof damage occurred to some one-story homes and hardwood trees were snapped. Just east of MS Highway 43 along Joe Magee Road, a brick home sustained significant damage as the roof was completely destroyed and a few exterior walls were collapsed. A swath of snapped softwood trees was noted along Abrams Road thus producing EF2 damage.||Once the tornado reached MS Highway 13 and surrounding streets such as Pine Burr Road and Firetower Road near the Marion and Lamar county borders, a slight decline in strength was noted, though its path remained wide. Although, it was still snapping large tree limbs and snapping and uprooting some softwood trees, several of which fell onto wooden power poles and caused them to fall. The tornado maintained its east northeastward track, knocking thousands of trees down along with numerous power lines and poles down across the western portions of Lamar County. This tree damage was consistent with high end EF1 winds peaking between 100-110 mph. Around a dozen homes were damaged starting from Luther Saucier Rd to Purvis to Columbia Road, including one old mobile home that was completely destroyed. As the tornado continued to track east northeastward to the north of Purvis. It crossed Purvis Oloh Road, MS Highway 589 along with US 11. Hundreds of trees were damaged along with many power lines down. Some minor damage occurred to some homes. The tornado was slightly weaker here with winds between 90- 100mph. The tornado crossed I-59 into Forrest County along Ford and Elks Lodge Road in the Dixie community. Hundreds of trees were damaged along with many power lines down. Sheds and several homes had minor damage and one mobile home had the roof blown off. The tornado then crossed US 49 a couple miles north of Southgate Road. The tornado proceeded into Camp Shelby. At Camp Shelby, there were widespread snapped and uprooted trees. Multiple structures across the north half, in and around Lee Avenue to Glenn Walker Lake, had varying degrees of minor to moderate roof damage from the tornado or fallen trees. The park and camper area on the north end of the lake was impacted. One person was injured here as a large tree fell on a truck. The tornado then crossed over US 98 just west of the Perry County line. It continued into Perry County along the Leaf River bottom, snapping and uprooting trees. It continued to track just south of Old River Road before dissipating along Old River Road three miles northwest of New Augusta. Total path length was 53.76 miles.

The tornado touched down near Jefferson Rd just east of the intersection with Jack Foil Rd in Walthall County. It quickly strengthened as it moved northeastward through the Hope area where it produced damage consistent with 115 mph winds. It also quickly grew in width and was roughly 1200 yd/0.67 mi wide by the time it approached Hwy 27. As it crossed Hwy 27 it continued to cause significant damage along East Sartinville Rd. The tornado was strongest as it approached James Ratcliff Rd. Two homes on this road were leveled, one being reduced to a slab. Consultation with subject matter experts including both engineers and experts in forensic tornado damage analysis supports raising the maximum intensity to 170 mph based on the house that was reduced to a slab and a large hard wood tree that was uprooted and tossed several feet from where it stood. The increased wind speed makes the tornado an EF-4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. The other home that was leveled suffered damage consistent with a high end EF-3. While all walls were collapsed, there was no evidence of bolts that would have held the sill plates to the foundation. Thus, the wind speed for this particular damage is reduced slightly from the expected. As it continued to move northeastward, it continued snapping every tree near the center of its path. It also caused substantial damage to several small cinder block buildings, tore the roof off of a home and rolled a tied down single-wide manufactured home as it crossed East Sartinville Rd. From there it continued northeastward and tore the entire roof from a brick home just before moving into Lawrence County. It should be noted that from just southwest of James Ratcliff Rd through the remainder of the Walthall Co portion of the track, nearly every tree in the path of the tornado was snapped or uprooted.|| ||The tornado then moved into far southeast Lawrence County, where it began snapping large hardwood branches on JK Givens Road. The tornado started to strengthen as a large swath of broken and uprooted hardwood trees were noted farther along JK Givens Road. As the tornado moved east northeast to Tynes Ainsworth Road, it tossed and completely destroyed a mobile home, causing two fatalities. Concurrently, it also snapped numerous softwood and hardwood trees behind and around the mobile home. The snapping and uprooting of numerous softwood trees continued when it moved northeast across Felix Sartin Road, while also causing some shingles to be removed from a one-story residence. Swaths of snapped hardwood trees and the uproot of trees was noted at Holmes Road, where a few wooden power poles were also snapped. The tornado then trekked into northwest Marion County, causing the snapping of multiple softwood trees just north of Ranch Road. The tornado moved northeast to US Road 587 where it broke a few wooden power poles and continued snapping softwood trees. It continued along its east-northeast path impacting River Road and Cooper Road, and causing large softwood branches to snap and the snapping and uprooting of softwood trees. The uprooting of a few softwood trees was noted when the tornado reached Highway 13, though the amount of uprooted trees was not as impressive from earlier in its track, thus showing a declining in strength. The tornado moved northeast into Jefferson Davis County, resulting in the snapping of a few small softwood tree limbs at Raynes Road. The tornado lifted at Joe Dyess Road, but not before snapping a few small hardwood tree limbs.||The total path length of the tornado was 21.17 miles. Maximum width was 1.1 miles in Lawrence County. Maximum estimated wind speed for the tornado was 170mph, and rated an EF4. However the maximum estimated wind speed in Marion County was 125mph, which was rated an EF2.

The tornado touched down near Jefferson Rd just east of the intersection with Jack Foil Rd in Walthall County. It quickly strengthened as it moved northeastward through the Hope area where it produced damage consistent with 115 mph winds. It also quickly grew in width and was roughly 1200 yd/0.67 mi wide by the time it approached Hwy 27. As it crossed Hwy 27 it continued to cause significant damage along East Sartinville Rd. The tornado was strongest as it approached James Ratcliff Rd. Two homes on this road were leveled, one being reduced to a slab. Consultation with subject matter experts including both engineers and experts in forensic tornado damage analysis supports raising the maximum intensity to 170 mph based on the house that was reduced to a slab and a large hard wood tree that was uprooted and tossed several feet from where it stood. The increased wind speed makes the tornado an EF-4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. The other home that was leveled suffered damage consistent with a high end EF-3. While all walls were collapsed, there was no evidence of bolts that would have held the sill plates to the foundation. Thus, the wind speed for this particular damage is reduced slightly from the expected. As it continued to move northeastward, it continued snapping every tree near the center of its path. It also caused substantial damage to several small cinder block buildings, tore the roof off of a home and rolled a tied down single-wide manufactured home as it crossed East Sartinville Rd. From there it continued northeastward and tore the entire roof from a brick home just before moving into Lawrence County. It should be noted that from just southwest of James Ratcliff Rd through the remainder of the Walthall Co portion of the track, nearly every tree in the path of the tornado was snapped or uprooted.|| ||The tornado then moved into far southeast Lawrence County, where it began snapping large hardwood branches on JK Givens Road. The tornado started to strengthen as a large swath of broken and uprooted hardwood trees were noted farther along JK Givens Road. As the tornado moved east northeast to Tynes Ainsworth Road, it tossed and completely destroyed a mobile home, causing two fatalities. Concurrently, it also snapped numerous softwood and hardwood trees behind and around the mobile home. The snapping and uprooting of numerous softwood trees continued when it moved northeast across Felix Sartin Road, while also causing some shingles to be removed from a one-story residence. Swaths of snapped hardwood trees and the uproot of trees was noted at Holmes Road, where a few wooden power poles were also snapped. The tornado then trekked into northwest Marion County, causing the snapping of multiple softwood trees just north of Ranch Road. The tornado moved northeast to US Road 587 where it broke a few wooden power poles and continued snapping softwood trees. It continued along its east-northeast path impacting River Road and Cooper Road, and causing large softwood branches to snap and the snapping and uprooting of softwood trees. The uprooting of a few softwood trees was noted when the tornado reached Highway 13, though the amount of uprooted trees was not as impressive from earlier in its track, thus showing a declining in strength. The tornado moved northeast into Jefferson Davis County, resulting in the snapping of a few small softwood tree limbs at Raynes Road. The tornado lifted at Joe Dyess Road, but not before snapping a few small hardwood tree limbs.||The total path length of the tornado was 21.17 miles. Maximum width was 1.1 miles in Lawrence County. Maximum estimated wind speed for the tornado was 170mph, and rated an EF4. However the maximum estimated wind speed in Marion County was 125mph, which was rated an EF2.

A tree was blown down across power lines near the Foxworth area.

An average of 5 to 6 inches of heavy snow fell across Marion County. The snow resulted in power outages and a few traffic accidents across the county.

Trees were blown down on 10 Mile Creek Road including one on a home. A powerline was brought down as well.

Powerlines and power poles were blown down along Highway 13 at Old River Road.

Three rotted trees blew down on a power line along Riley Road just east of Highway 35.

This tornado first touched down just east of the Pearl River just south of Columbia. It quickly became strong and moved northeast impacting the southeast side of Columbia. The tornado remained on the ground through Marion County before lifting as it approached the Lamar County line. Numerous businesses, homes, mobile homes, a National Guard building and power poles and lines were heavily damaged or destroyed by the tornado. One well-built home was mostly destroyed and nearly reduced to a slab. This home received the highest damage rating. Extensive tree damage also occurred along the path of the storm. Maximum wind speed of this tornado was 165mph.

This tornado first touched down just east of the Pearl River just south of Columbia. It quickly became strong and moved northeast impacting the southeast side of Columbia. The tornado remained on the ground through Marion County before lifting as it approached the Lamar County line. Numerous businesses, homes, mobile homes, a National Guard building and power poles and lines were heavily damaged or destroyed by the tornado. One well-built home was mostly destroyed and nearly reduced to a slab. This home received the highest damage rating. Extensive tree damage also occurred along the path of the storm. Maximum wind speed of this tornado was 165mph.

This tornado started just inside Marion County on New Hope Road where a few outbuildings were destroyed. On the east side of the road, a home had a good portion of the roof torn off. The tornado then crossed Hurricane Creek Road and approached Mt Carmel Church Road, which is where the most intense damage occurred. Three mobile homes were completely destroyed with just the undercarriage left (3 injuries occurred here). A bit further northeast, the tornado crossed Regan Road where three homes sustained significant roof damage. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted in this area as well. The tornado weakened as it crossed Hwy 35, but continued to produce low end tree damage across Hwy 13 South and Game Reserve Road. Additional damage to structures occurred near the Lamar County line along Columbia-Purvis Road, Powell Lane and Culdesac Drive. The tornado then entered Lamar County causing additional damage to structures with one home off Wiley Lott Road having the roof removed. A number of power poles were snapped in this area as well, along with significant tree damage. The tornado dissipated shortly after producing this damage. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 120 mph.

This tornado started just inside Marion County on New Hope Road where a few outbuildings were destroyed. On the east side of the road, a home had a good portion of the roof torn off. The tornado then crossed Hurricane Creek Road and approached Mt Carmel Church Road, which is where the most intense damage occurred. Three mobile homes were completely destroyed with just the undercarriage left (3 injuries occurred here). A bit further northeast, the tornado crossed Regan Road where three homes sustained significant roof damage. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted in this area as well. The tornado weakened as it crossed Hwy 35, but continued to produce low end tree damage across Hwy 13 South and Game Reserve Road. Additional damage to structures occurred near the Lamar County line along Columbia-Purvis Road, Powell Lane and Culdesac Drive. The tornado then entered Lamar County causing additional damage to structures with one home off Wiley Lott Road having the roof removed. A number of power poles were snapped in this area as well, along with significant tree damage. The tornado dissipated shortly after producing this damage. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 120 mph.

By mid afternoon on the 29th trees were blown down across the county, with a few power outages occurring. At midnight, roof damage occurred to a home southwest of Columbia with water leaking into the house. Strong winds continued into the morning hours before subsiding.

Lightning struck a power pole causing some power outages.

Power lines were blown down at MS Highway 35 and Old Jamestown Road near Foxworth.

Outflow wind gusts damaged power lines at Highway 44 and Gates Road starting a fire in the woods.

Trees and power lines were blown down in Columbia.

The tornado first touched down along Mail Route Road and tracked across a farm, uprooting and snapping trees and causing minor damage to sheds and fences. The tornado then crossed Clear Creek Church Road where it reached its maximum intensity. A well anchored single wide trailer was destroyed with the contents tossed into the nearby woods. A well built shed was also destroyed with the contents deposited into the woods. A wood frame home received damage to one wall and had numerous shingles torn off. Two power poles were snapped off, and an impressive number of hard wood trees were snapped in this location as well. The tornado continued moving northeast producing low end EF-1 tree damage, while crossing several dirt roads before dissipating. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 115mph.

The tornado started in Marion County on Goss Bunker Hill Road with mostly minor tree damage. As it moved northeast, crossing Stuckey Road, more minor tree damage occurred along with home TV and radio antennas being blown down. As it moved along E. Reservoir Road, more substantial tree damage occurred along with roof damage to a few homes and mobile homes. As it continued northeast, more major tree damage occurred along with snapped power poles on Bufkin and Grice Roads. The most significant damage occurred along Bunker Hill Road where roof damage occurred to a home along with many trees snapped and uprooted. Several metal sheds were either severely damaged or destroyed. A cattle trailer was picked up and thrown approximately 200 yards. As it crossed Hwy 35, major tree damage continued where pines and hardwood trees were either snapped or uprooted. A carport was collapsed at a residence near Bryant Road. The tornado continued northeast crossing Robbins and F. Mcneese Road where mainly tree damage occurred. As the tornado crossed S Williamsburg Road, the roof of a newly built barn was torn off along with major tree damage. As it continued northeast from there, mostly tree damage occurred until it ended near Gates Road, just south of Hwy 42 in Jefferson Davis County. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 100 mph.

The tornado started in Marion County on Goss Bunker Hill Road with mostly minor tree damage. As it moved northeast, crossing Stuckey Road, more minor tree damage occurred along with home TV and radio antennas being blown down. As it moved along E. Reservoir Road, more substantial tree damage occurred along with roof damage to a few homes and mobile homes. As it continued northeast, more major tree damage occurred along with snapped power poles on Bufkin and Grice Roads. The most significant damage occurred along Bunker Hill Road where roof damage occurred to a home along with many trees snapped and uprooted. Several metal sheds were either severely damaged or destroyed. A cattle trailer was picked up and thrown approximately 200 yards. As it crossed Hwy 35, major tree damage continued where pines and hardwood trees were either snapped or uprooted. A carport was collapsed at a residence near Bryant Road. The tornado continued northeast crossing Robbins and F. Mcneese Road where mainly tree damage occurred. As the tornado crossed S Williamsburg Road, the roof of a newly built barn was torn off along with major tree damage. As it continued northeast from there, mostly tree damage occurred until it ended near Gates Road, just south of Hwy 42 in Jefferson Davis County. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 100 mph.

Power lines were blown down in Columbia. Quarter sized hail fell at the same location.

A power line was blown down onto a house along Williams Cutoff.

A power line was down near Columbia after a tree was blown down onto the lines.

Sleet and freezing rain began falling across the county during the late morning hours. By early evening ice was observed accumulating on trees and power lines in Goss.

A tree was blown down on a house and a power line was down in Columbia. A shed was also damaged in this area.

Three to four trees were blown down around town. A few of those trees were down on power lines.

Several trees and power lines had blown down west of Columbia.

Light sleet changed over to light snow flurries by 610 am. Columbia measured a half inch as of 632 am. As of 915 am Columbia had measured around two inches of snow on the ground. There was also some power outages reported with some fallen limbs. By 11 am an estimated|4 to 5 inches of snow was reported by the Columbia police department. As of 1230 pm reports of 3 to|6 inches was noted across the county. Snowfall intensities decreased after 1 pm. The snow exited the|region by 430 pm.

Tropical storm force winds occurred across Marion County as the outer edges of Hurricane Gustav moved across southern Louisiana. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the county. Wind gusts peaked between 50 and 60 mph for a few hours.

A few power lines were blown down along Highway 35 North.

Several power lines were blown down.

A few trees and large limbs were blown down on power lines.

A few trees were blown down on power lines.

A few trees were blown down on power lines along Hunt Road.

Several trees and a few power lines were blown down along Highway 35.

A few trees and power lines blown down west of Columbia. Many people were without power.

Several trees were blown down around Columbia and northward to the Bunker Hill and Improve Communities. One tree fell on a house in Columbia with another taking down a power line.

Several trees and a power line were blown down off Highway 586.

A power pole was blown down and blocked Highway 13.

Several trees and power lines were blown down.

A strong microburst moved through the North-Central portion of Marion county and downed numerous trees, power lines and caused damage to a few homes. In the town of Columbia, many large oak trees were uprooted, one home was destroyed along with one vehicle. A few other homes sustained minor damage as the severe winds moved west.

A few large limbs were blown down on powerlines.

Several large limbs and a few powerlines were blown down.

Numerous trees and powerlines were blown down in the area.

Several trees and power lines were blown down in and around Columbia. An unoccupied parked car sustained damage when a light pole was snapped by the wind and landed on the car.

Several trees and powerlines were blown down in several portions of the county.

On March 12, 2004, at approximately 1235 PM CST, the Big Bay Lake dam, on Bay Creek failed. This lake is located 11 miles west of Purvis Mississippi on Bay Creek Road in Lamar county. Big Bay Lake was 1100 acres and held nearly 3.75 billion gallons of water. This lake was emptied in a little over 2 hours. The original earthen dam was 57 feet high. Beneath the dam is Bay Creek which flows into Lower Little Creek about 1 mile south of the dam. Lower Little Creek flows west into Marion county and then into the Pearl River 9 miles south of Columbia.The most catastrophic damage occurred within the first 5 miles below the dam along Bay Creek and Lower Little Creek. The first major impact of the flood waters occurred as a 15 to 20 foot wall of water crossed Columbia-Purvis Road. Here numerous trees were flattened as the water rushed through. Next was Tatum-Salt Dome Road where 75 yards of the road was washed out. Several homes were moved off of their foundation here while numerous automobiles were swept 1/4 mile into the woods and lodged up in trees. Areas along Robbins Road were among the hardest hit as 10 to 15 feet of water moved through this location. This road basically parallels Lower Little Creek for slightly over a mile. Just about all homes along this road were severely damaged or destroyed. Every home that was not attached to a concrete slab was moved off its foundation. All automobiles in the area were swept 1/4 mile from their original location. Robbins Road meets up with Caney Church Road where a large section of the road was washed out. The next road was Luther-Saucier Road. Here a small section of the road was washed out. Just west of Luther-Saucier Road is McGraw Road. Here the water was 5 feet deep. Three homes along this road were moved off their foundation.As the flood waters entered Marion county they seemed to slow and become more confined to the creek channel. However, several homes were flooded by 3 to 5 feet of water while 1 to 3 feet of water flowed over portions of Highway 13. This occured in and near the community of Pinebur. A large section of Pine Burr Road was washed out where the creek crossed the road. Large sections of asphalt were removed from the road bed and placed neatly in residents yards.A total of 121 homes or businesses were damaged by the flood waters. Of the 121 damaged structures, 52 were completely destroyed, 40 sustained major damage and 29 sustained minor damage. In addition, 30 roads were damaged or closed by the flood waters. The affected area stretched some 17 miles west of the dam to where Lower Little Creek meets the Pearl River.The best way to describe the damage is "Incredible". The power of the flood water was amazing as it produced damage that was comparable to F2, F3 and F4 tornado damage.