Power Outage in Merigold, MS

An EF-2 tornado touched down in Bolivar County near the Mississippi River. Tree damage could be seen from atop the levee just west of Benoit. The tornado tracked through farmland just north of Benoit where it knocked down trees and power lines. It also damaged heavy farm equipment and destroyed a farm equipment shelter, ripping and tossing its concrete anchors over 100 yards. The tornado then crossed Highway 1, where it destroyed some large grain bins and snapped numerous power poles. The tornado proceeded into the Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge where it knocked down trees and power poles. The most substantial damage was noted as the tornado crossed Highway 8 between Pace and Cleveland. It snapped more than 40 wooden power poles along Highway 8. The tornado uprooted and snapped trees and damaged some well built homes in the area northwest of Cleveland. This is also the area where the tornado snapped several concrete power poles. Several mobile homes were destroyed along South Bayou Road, injuring three people. More mobile homes were destroyed on McCain Road, injuring one person. The tornado proceeded to cross US 61 where it snapped more power poles and damaged homes near Tolliver Road. It also damaged some steel power trusses and a business along US 61 in Renova. The tornado lifted east of US 61 before crossing into Sunflower County. Maximum peak winds were estimated around 130 mph.

A long track tornado touched down along Highway 65 in Chicot County, Arkansas, where numerous power poles were snapped and two eighteen wheelers flipped over causing 2 minor injuries. Damage occurred to several homes and farm buildings and heavy roof damage occurred to the Yellow Bend Port facility. This tornado was initially in Chicot County, moved into Desha County, and then moved back into Chicot County. The tornado then crossed the Mississippi River into Bolivar County, Mississippi. The tornado was rated EF-1 in Chicot County and was given an overall rating of EF-2 due to damage in Mississippi.||In Bolivar County, Mississippi, numerous power poles were snapped. A well built tractor shed was destroyed and several farm buildings were damaged. This tornado remained in Bolivar County after it crossed into Mississippi. It did not cross back into Desha County, Arkansas a second time. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 115 MPH with a total path length of 41 miles in Chicot, Desha, and Bolivar counties.

Several trees and powerlines were blown down.