Power Outage in Monticello, MS

Tropical storm force wind gusts resulted in downed trees and power lines across the county. Several roads were blocked by fallen trees.

A large tree fell onto a power line bringing down the line in addition to two other poles. A large tree limb also fell through the roof of a nearby home.

A mixture of freezing rain and sleet fell across the county. Accumulations of three tenths of an inch of ice occurred across the county with sleet accumulations around half an inch. Ice accumulated on power lines and trees. Many limbs were brought down onto power lines, which resulted in roughly thirty percent of the county to be without power. Roads were icy. A carport also collapsed in the county.

Trees were blown down along Highway 587. Several trees were also blown down in Monticello, including one on a car and another one on a power line.

Trees were blown down along Highway 587. Several trees were also blown down in Monticello, including one on a car and another one on a power line.

During the late evening, a severe thunderstorm was responsible for an extensive swath of significant damage across several counties in the southern portion of the NWS Jackson service area. The main corridor of focused and higher end wind damage was across southern Copiah to far southern Simpson, as well as all of northern sections of Lawrence, Jefferson Davis and Covington counties before dissipating across northwest Jones County. Based on a NWS damage survey of portions of this swath, along with accounts and assessments from local Emergency Managers, significant wind speeds across this swath ranged between 80 and 100 mph. Within the overall swath, there were generally 2 to 3 focused corridors, roughly running from west northwest to east southeast, where the greatest concentration of damage occurred. General dimensions of the swath can be described as roughly 80 miles long with a width of 6 to 8 miles where the greatest concentration of damage occurred. Damage across this large swath were primarily damaged trees and downed power lines. Tree damage was a combination of uprooted and snapped trees and was quite extensive and best characterized by hundreds of thousands of damaged trees. Downed power lines and broken poles were extensive as well across the swath. Additionally, many structures were damaged with degrees of damage from minor to major. All of this was due to a combination of the wind itself causing damage or by downed trees damaging the structure. In Lawrence County, the strongest hit area included New Hebron along with Crooked Creek, Cliburn Cemetery, N Pleasant Hill and Sutton Roads including Highway 42.

During the late evening, a severe thunderstorm was responsible for an extensive swath of significant damage across several counties in the southern portion of the NWS Jackson service area. The main corridor of focused and higher end wind damage was across southern Copiah to far southern Simpson, as well as all of northern sections of Lawrence, Jefferson Davis and Covington counties before dissipating across northwest Jones County. Based on a NWS damage survey of portions of this swath, along with accounts and assessments from local Emergency Managers, significant wind speeds across this swath ranged between 80 and 100 mph. Within the overall swath, there were generally 2 to 3 focused corridors, roughly running from west northwest to east southeast, where the greatest concentration of damage occurred. General dimensions of the swath can be described as roughly 80 miles long with a width of 6 to 8 miles where the greatest concentration of damage occurred. Damage across this large swath were primarily damaged trees and downed power lines. Tree damage was a combination of uprooted and snapped trees and was quite extensive and best characterized by hundreds of thousands of damaged trees. Downed power lines and broken poles were extensive as well across the swath. Additionally, many structures were damaged with degrees of damage from minor to major. All of this was due to a combination of the wind itself causing damage or by downed trees damaging the structure. In Lawrence County, the strongest hit area included New Hebron along with Crooked Creek, Cliburn Cemetery, N Pleasant Hill and Sutton Roads including Highway 42.

This strong tornado traveled over 84 miles through parts of six counties including southern Lawrence, central Jefferson Davis, northern Covington, far northwestern Jones, far southeastern Smith, and Jasper counties. Some of the communities impacted include Oak Vale, the area north of Carson, the north side of Collins, Hot Coffee, Summerland, Stringer, and the west side of Paulding. This tornado is preliminarily rated EF3 with an estimated peak wind of 150 MPH near MS Highway 35 northeast of Carson in Jefferson Davis County. The maximum path width was 1.16 miles also near MS Highway 35 in Jefferson Davis County. No fatalities were reported in this tornado, but there was an undetermined number of injuries. Additional details on the damage path and area of most significant damage follow.|| ||The tornado initially touched down in southeastern Lawrence County 11 miles south of the city of Monticello, causing minor tree damage. The tornado quickly strengthened as it took a northeast track, producing EF1 and EF2 tree damage along Givens Road and Divide Road. From an elevated location on Divide Road, surveyors were able to view extensive tree damage and ground scouring in the inaccessible Pearl River bottom in Lawrence County. This damage was also confirmed by satellite imagery. The tornado destroyed the roof of a home and completely destroyed a metal building structure on Rayborn Lane. The homeowner also stated that a well built log cabin that he owned along the Pearl River was completely destroyed. After crossing the Pearl River, the tornado proceeded to impact areas just east of the river, causing more significant tree damage along River Road and Coon Hunting Road. The tornado completely destroyed several chicken houses and significantly damaged two homes near MS Highway 43 before crossing into Jefferson Davis County. Once in Jefferson Davis County, the tornado snapped and uprooted numerous trees along Johnson Road, Palestine Road, and Lily Rose Road. The tornado crossed MS Highway 13 snapping a couple of wooden power poles and causing damage to large sections of the roof of a one- story home. Two mobile homes were destroyed along Greens Creek Road, with additional roof damage to homes as well as snapping and uprooting trees as the tornado progressed northeastward. A mobile home was destroyed along Newman Camp Road.|| ||The intensity of the tornado briefly increased to low end EF3 damage as it moved across Kirkley Lane, where extensive tree damage was noted. Damage to roofs, and the snapping and uprooting of trees continued as the tornado moved northeast. Large sections of a roof were removed from a one-story home on Haynes Gray Road, most walls of an apparently abandoned home were collapsed on SJ Garner Road, and the roof of a well built home was removed along Ross McPhail Road. Along Berry Loop, a mobile home was demolished and several other homes were heavily damaged.|| ||As the tornado neared MS Highway 35 and the Terrell community, it grew wider and stronger. Extensive tree damage and varying degrees of damage occurred to dozens of structures. In this area, multiple mobile homes were completely destroyed on both sides of the highway. A large church made of cinderblocks was leveled here and supportive of EF3 wind speeds near 150 mph. Multiple power lines were downed as well. The tornado reached its widest point in this location at 1.16 miles. EF3 tree damage continued as it crossed East Granby Road near the river as well as a small section when it crossed Three Notch Road. Several mobile homes were destroyed here as well. The tornado weakened a bit after this point, but remained strong as it crossed US 84 and neared US 49. A wide swath of extensive tree damage and downed power lines occurred along the path. A set of chicken houses west of Campbell Faler Road was destroyed, and a mobile home was rolled. As the tornado crossed Old Macintosh and Sunset Roads, more trees were downed along with some damage to structures. After crossing US 49, this strong tornado continued northeast where numerous trees were snapped and uprooted and a mobile home was destroyed on Hambone Road.|| ||The tornado continued across northeastern Covington County, crossing MS Highway 532 west of Hot Coffee, causing widespread tree damage and minor roof damage to some residential areas before crossing out of the county. The tornado then moved into northwest Jones and southern Smith County and crossed through the community of Summerland. Widespread tree damage continued through here, with some minor roof damage to residences, which was consistent with high end EF1 damage. A church along Smith County Road 8A had a steeple removed by the winds. The tornado then moved into southwestern Jasper County into the Stringer community. High end EF1 damage occurred in the area, with numerous trees snapped and uprooted in addition to a snapped power pole east of the community. Even though the circulation began to weaken, the tornado continued northeast and produced high end EF1 damage throughout central Jasper County before moving across the western side of Paulding. The tornado weakened in this area, still producing widespread EF0-EF1 tree damage as it crossed MS Highway 503 north of Paulding. The tornado lifted shortly thereafter along County Road 31. The maximum wind speed was 150mph in Jefferson Davis County, with winds up to 140mph occurring in Lawrence County. The total path length was 83.22 miles.

This strong tornado traveled over 84 miles through parts of six counties including southern Lawrence, central Jefferson Davis, northern Covington, far northwestern Jones, far southeastern Smith, and Jasper counties. Some of the communities impacted include Oak Vale, the area north of Carson, the north side of Collins, Hot Coffee, Summerland, Stringer, and the west side of Paulding. This tornado is preliminarily rated EF3 with an estimated peak wind of 150 MPH near MS Highway 35 northeast of Carson in Jefferson Davis County. The maximum path width was 1.16 miles also near MS Highway 35 in Jefferson Davis County. No fatalities were reported in this tornado, but there was an undetermined number of injuries. Additional details on the damage path and area of most significant damage follow.|| ||The tornado initially touched down in southeastern Lawrence County 11 miles south of the city of Monticello, causing minor tree damage. The tornado quickly strengthened as it took a northeast track, producing EF1 and EF2 tree damage along Givens Road and Divide Road. From an elevated location on Divide Road, surveyors were able to view extensive tree damage and ground scouring in the inaccessible Pearl River bottom in Lawrence County. This damage was also confirmed by satellite imagery. The tornado destroyed the roof of a home and completely destroyed a metal building structure on Rayborn Lane. The homeowner also stated that a well built log cabin that he owned along the Pearl River was completely destroyed. After crossing the Pearl River, the tornado proceeded to impact areas just east of the river, causing more significant tree damage along River Road and Coon Hunting Road. The tornado completely destroyed several chicken houses and significantly damaged two homes near MS Highway 43 before crossing into Jefferson Davis County. Once in Jefferson Davis County, the tornado snapped and uprooted numerous trees along Johnson Road, Palestine Road, and Lily Rose Road. The tornado crossed MS Highway 13 snapping a couple of wooden power poles and causing damage to large sections of the roof of a one- story home. Two mobile homes were destroyed along Greens Creek Road, with additional roof damage to homes as well as snapping and uprooting trees as the tornado progressed northeastward. A mobile home was destroyed along Newman Camp Road.|| ||The intensity of the tornado briefly increased to low end EF3 damage as it moved across Kirkley Lane, where extensive tree damage was noted. Damage to roofs, and the snapping and uprooting of trees continued as the tornado moved northeast. Large sections of a roof were removed from a one-story home on Haynes Gray Road, most walls of an apparently abandoned home were collapsed on SJ Garner Road, and the roof of a well built home was removed along Ross McPhail Road. Along Berry Loop, a mobile home was demolished and several other homes were heavily damaged.|| ||As the tornado neared MS Highway 35 and the Terrell community, it grew wider and stronger. Extensive tree damage and varying degrees of damage occurred to dozens of structures. In this area, multiple mobile homes were completely destroyed on both sides of the highway. A large church made of cinderblocks was leveled here and supportive of EF3 wind speeds near 150 mph. Multiple power lines were downed as well. The tornado reached its widest point in this location at 1.16 miles. EF3 tree damage continued as it crossed East Granby Road near the river as well as a small section when it crossed Three Notch Road. Several mobile homes were destroyed here as well. The tornado weakened a bit after this point, but remained strong as it crossed US 84 and neared US 49. A wide swath of extensive tree damage and downed power lines occurred along the path. A set of chicken houses west of Campbell Faler Road was destroyed, and a mobile home was rolled. As the tornado crossed Old Macintosh and Sunset Roads, more trees were downed along with some damage to structures. After crossing US 49, this strong tornado continued northeast where numerous trees were snapped and uprooted and a mobile home was destroyed on Hambone Road.|| ||The tornado continued across northeastern Covington County, crossing MS Highway 532 west of Hot Coffee, causing widespread tree damage and minor roof damage to some residential areas before crossing out of the county. The tornado then moved into northwest Jones and southern Smith County and crossed through the community of Summerland. Widespread tree damage continued through here, with some minor roof damage to residences, which was consistent with high end EF1 damage. A church along Smith County Road 8A had a steeple removed by the winds. The tornado then moved into southwestern Jasper County into the Stringer community. High end EF1 damage occurred in the area, with numerous trees snapped and uprooted in addition to a snapped power pole east of the community. Even though the circulation began to weaken, the tornado continued northeast and produced high end EF1 damage throughout central Jasper County before moving across the western side of Paulding. The tornado weakened in this area, still producing widespread EF0-EF1 tree damage as it crossed MS Highway 503 north of Paulding. The tornado lifted shortly thereafter along County Road 31. The maximum wind speed was 150mph in Jefferson Davis County, with winds up to 140mph occurring in Lawrence County. The total path length was 83.22 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 in Walthall County 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 Lawrence County was 140mph, which was rated an EF3.

This tornado started just north-northwest of the town of Silver Creek off of Stephens Cemetery Road and then crossed Highway 43. A barn and shed were initially damaged along with some downed trees. Damage to trees increased along Highway 43 with several snapped. The tornado then moved into the Silver Creek bottom then crossed Daughdrill Road. where more trees were snapped/uprooted along with downed power lines. One home had minor roof damage with a group of 3 chicken houses damaged, and one house destroyed. The tornado then crossed into Jefferson Davis County and intensified. As it crossed Spring Hill Church Road, trees and power lines were down. One home on blocks was destroyed. An area of woods adjacent to the home sustained significant tree damage where all the trees were snapped in a focused corridor from what appears to be an intense vortex. An EF2 rating was given here. The tornado then crossed Zion Hill Church Road, although the tornado weakened a bit at this point, it still snapped and uprooted numerous trees. The tornado then moved along Gholar Road. In this location, the tornado transitioned and took a hard right. While doing so, another intense vortex occurred within otherwise standard EF0, EF1 tree damage. The noted vortex destroyed a mobile home and threw a Nissan truck about 30 yds; one injury occurred here as the person was in the mobile home and was thrown out of it. Shortly after the hard right deviation, another intense vortex developed and more extensive tree damage occurred just east of Sophia Sutton Road. As the tornado crossed Highway 42, it reached peak intensity with winds around 130 mph. Here a large cinder block store was demolished and a well built brick home had the roof removed. Multiple power poles were broken along with numerous trees snapped/uprooted. The tornado continued east-northeast generally along portions of Double Ponds Road. Here more trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado crossed Highway 13 and then dissipated at Sugar Ridge Road but not before snapping a few tree limbs. Maximum winds were 105 mph in Lawrence County and 130 mph winds in the entire path. Total path length was 10.92 miles.

Trees and powerlines were blown down across the southern part of the county.

Trees and powerlines were blown down across the western part of the county.

Trees and powerlines were blown down across the western part of the county.

Several trees were blown down or uprooted, along with a few power lines downed along the south side of Topeka.

A tree was blown down on Henry Cox and Hammond Roads, both taking down a power line.

Trees and power lines were blown down in Monticello.

Trees and power lines were blown down in New Hebron.

Power poles and trees were down in the town of New Hebron.

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Trees and power lines were blown down.

A few trees were down, including two that fell on a power line.

This tornado started in a wooded area between River Road and GW Smith Road. As it moved east northeast, it snapped and uprooted a couple dozen hardwood and softwood trees along GW Smith Road. It also downed a couple power lines in this area. Several hay barns were damaged with tin thrown along the path. A well defined convergent pattern was noted with the tree damage. Also along this road, a mobile home had the front porch removed, and three other homes sustained minor roof damage. The tornado dissipated as it crossed highway 43. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 95 mph.

This tornado started in a wooded area between River Road and GW Smith Road. As it moved east northeast, it snapped and uprooted a couple dozen hardwood and softwood trees along GW Smith Road. It also downed a couple power lines in this area. Several hay barns were damaged with tin thrown along the path. A well defined convergent pattern was noted with the tree damage. Also along this road, a mobile home had the front porch removed, and three other homes sustained minor roof damage. The tornado dissipated as it crossed highway 43. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 95 mph.

Trees were blown down along Rabbit Road east of Monticello. Power outages occurred in a few areas along Highway 84 between Monticello and Silver Creek.

Power lines and a few trees were blown down.

The tornado started by downing trees along Cole Drive west of the Ruth community. The tornado quickly intensified and produced its first area of damage with winds estimated near 100 mph in Ruth. The awning of a gas station was destroyed, the volunteer fire department building had the back wall blown out, a church had the steeple blown off along with extensive shingle damage, and a number of homes suffered roof damage due to trees falling on them or due to direct minor roof damage. The tornado continued to move east across southeast Lincoln county and into southwest Lawrence county to the northwest and north of Jayess, causing tree damage. A few trees here fell on homes, and one fell on an RV vehicle, completely destroying it. After appearing to weaken northeast of Jayess, the tornado restrengthened after moving east of Mississippi Highway 27. The tornado again caused damaging indicative of winds of 100 mph along Tom Sistrunk Road. Numerous large trees were snapped and uprooted, and several homes had minor to moderate roof damage. The tornado then weakened as it moved east, dissipating just before reaching the border between Lawrence and Marion counties. Maximum winds were around 100 mph. Total path length across Lincoln and Lawrence Counties was 17 miles.||While the damage pattern associated with this tornado had clear tornadic indications with a convergent damage pattern, there was also damage indicative of straight line winds to the west and north of the tornado, primarily from west to north of Ruth. A number of trees were downed in this area, some on power lines.

The tornado started by downing trees along Cole Drive west of the Ruth community. The tornado quickly intensified and produced its first area of damage with winds estimated near 100 mph in Ruth. The awning of a gas station was destroyed, the volunteer fire department building had the back wall blown out, a church had the steeple blown off along with extensive shingle damage, and a number of homes suffered roof damage due to trees falling on them or due to direct minor roof damage. The tornado continued to move east across southeast Lincoln county and into southwest Lawrence county to the northwest and north of Jayess, causing tree damage. A few trees here fell on homes, and one fell on an RV vehicle, completely destroying it. After appearing to weaken northeast of Jayess, the tornado restrengthened after moving east of Mississippi Highway 27. The tornado again caused damaging indicative of winds of 100 mph along Tom Sistrunk Road. Numerous large trees were snapped and uprooted, and several homes had minor to moderate roof damage. The tornado then weakened as it moved east, dissipating just before reaching the border between Lawrence and Marion counties. Maximum winds were around 100 mph. Total path length across Lincoln and Lawrence Counties was 17 miles.||While the damage pattern associated with this tornado had clear tornadic indications with a convergent damage pattern, there was also damage indicative of straight line winds to the west and north of the tornado, primarily from west to north of Ruth. A number of trees were downed in this area, some on power lines.

Trees and power lines were down along Highway 583.

Heavy freezing rain and sleet fell across the county throughout the day. Ice accumulations of up to 0.5 inches downed a few trees and limbs. Sporadic power outages occurred around the county.

A few power lines were blown down off Highway 27.

Numerous trees and a few power lines were blown down across the northern half of Lawrence County. A few trees were down on a couple homes and some minor roof damage occurred to a few buildings in Monticello.

Numerous trees and a few power lines were blown down across the northern half of Lawrence County. A few trees were down on a couple homes and some minor roof damage occurred to a few buildings in Monticello.

Numerous trees and some power lines were blown down across the central portion of the county as wind gusts between 70 and 80 mph blew through.

Numerous trees and some power lines were blown down across the central portion of the county as wind gusts between 70 and 80 mph blew through.

Dozens of trees and numerous power lines were blown down across a large section of central Lawrence County. Wind gusts within the squall line ranged from 70 to 85 mph.

Dozens of trees and numerous power lines were blown down across a large section of central Lawrence County. Wind gusts within the squall line ranged from 70 to 85 mph.

Sleet began around 625am quickly mixing with snow with light accumulations occurring after 7. Moderate snow began to fall around 9 with accumulations approaching 2 inches by 915. By 10 moderate to heavy snow began to fall across county with accumulations quickly reaching 4 inches by 1035 around the town of Jayess and then over 5 inches in Monticello before 11. Moderate to heavy snow continued to fall across the county through 1pm before snow began to mix with sleet again around 130. All winter precipitation came to an end just before 2pm with accumulations ranging from 6 to 10 inches across the county. Department of Transportation workers reported between 8 to 10 inches around the New Hebron community. Large branches and powerlines were brought down by the wet snow and one tree fell on a house.

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

One tree was blown down on a power line in Monticello.

A strong microburst occurred on the western side of Monticello and downed numerous trees across a 1 square mile area. A couple power lines were taken down by trees and a few shingles were blown off a couple homes. Maximum wind gusts were between 70 and 75 mph.

Numerous trees and a few power lines were blown down in and around New Hebron.

A few trees were blown down on power lines.

A few trees were blown down on power lines.

A few trees and power lines were blown down near the Arm Community.

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

Several trees and large limbs were blown down on power lines.

Several trees and numerous limbs took down a few power lines near Oak Vale.

Many trees and a few power lines were blown down across the extreme Southeast corner of Lawrence county. This was the same storm which produced wind damage across Southwest Jefferson Davis and North-Central Marion counties.

Several trees and a few power lines were blown down around Monticello.

A few trees and power lines were blown down.

A few power lines were blown down.

A few trees were blown down on power lines.

A few trees and powerlines were blown down.

A few trees and powerlines were blown down.

Numerous trees and powerlines were blown down.

Several trees and powerlines were blown down across the county.

Powerlines were blown down on Benson Road within the city.

Several trees were blown down and caused minor damage, including a few downed power lines.

A section of the roof at the Monticello health department was blown off. Windows at the town library were blown out. Large limbs were blown down which caused downed power lines and power outages.

Several trees and power lines were blown down.