Power Outage in Purvis, MS

Tropical storm force wind gusts resulted in numerous downed trees and power lines across the county with several roads blocked including Highway 98 and Highway 11. Additional trees and power lines were downed in the city of Lumberton.

Multiple trees and power lines were blown down along the Highway 98 corridor. A tree was also blown down near Oak Grove halfway down Highway 24.

Power lines and trees were blown down at Mill Creek Loop and Rocky Branch Road.

Freezing rain fell across the county. Accumulations up to three tenths of an inch occurred across the northern part of the county. Numerous limbs were brought down on power lines. This resulted in power outages.

Tropical storm force winds from Hurricane Zeta blew down scattered trees and power lines in the Purvis area and across southern and central portions of Lamar County. One tree fell through and damaged a house in Purvis.

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. Maximum sustained winds for the entire tornado were 170 mph, but were noted to be 110 mph in Lamar County. Total path width was 2275 yards(1.29 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. Maximum sustained winds for the entire tornado were 170 mph, but were noted to be 110 mph in Lamar County. Total path width was 2275 yards(1.29 miles).

Tree debris and power lines downed on US 11 at Seneca Road.

A small tree was blown down and downed some power lines.

A tree was blown down onto power lines along McCarter Circle.

A power pole was blown down along Little Black Creek Road southwest of Purvis. Several trees were also blown down in the surrounding area between Purvis and Baxterville.

This tornado touched down in a wooded area just north of Purvis to Columbia Road, near the intersection of B Young Road. The tornado tracked through an area with fairly young, long leaf pines (10-20ft tall) and managed to uproot/snap several near the trail where the property was accessed. As the tornado crossed the transmission line clearing, several more trees were damaged along with a V based truss tower taken down. Information from the power crew engineers noted that these sort of V truss towers are rated for 100 mph winds. The collapse of this tower, with 100 mph winds, was supported by similar tree damage in and around that location. A TDS from both KLIX/KDGX was noted with a well defined signature. Of note, the presence of the clear TDS seemed to be aided by the tornado traveling through the long leaf pine forest and those ���extra long��� needles offering a larger variety of oddly shaped targets for the CC product to indicate. The maximum estimated wind speeds was 105 mph.

This tornado began along Purvis-Oloh Road, about 5 miles west northwest of Purvis. It tracked northeast across portions of Lamar County causing mainly tree damage, uprooting and snapping softwood and hardwood trees. It caused some minor to moderate structural damage as well. The tornado crossed Old Highway 11, continuing to cause mainly tree damage, although at least a few structures were also damaged. The tornado began to gain strength as it reached Slade Road, where some homes received roof damage. As the tornado crossed Sullivan Kilrain Road, additional homes received significant roof and structural damage, especially on Carter Circle and Tatum Camp Road. Comprehensive assessments from Lamar County emergency management officials count 26 homes in the county being destroyed or with major damage and 52 homes receiving minor damage. The tornado continued to gain strength as it crossed into Forrest County. There it struck a subdivision along Nellwood Drive, Lakeland Drive and Crestwood Drive and caused significant damage to many homes. Several homes received significant roof and structural damage. One home sustained significant damage and also was the site of one of the fatalities. As the tornado continued to track northeast, it caused extensive tree damage and powerline damage. It struck a church along Helveston Road, which suffered damage to the top floor. As the tornado approached William Cary College, it intensified to EF3 strength, causing damage to numerous buildings on campus. The tornado then affected a mobile home park, where it downed trees and caused damage to mobile homes. Here, two more fatalities occurred. It then caused structural damage to several homes, churches and businesses on James Street and Alcorn Road. Another|fatality occurred on Alcorn Road, when a tree fell on a home. The tornado continued to track northeast, crossing the Leaf River and headed into Petal. Here the tornado got very wide and continued to cause EF2 type damage to businesses along Main Street and into the neighborhoods on the southern side of the city. Extensive tree|damage occurred and countless homes had minor to major roof damage in the neighborhood south of Hillcrest Loop. As the tornado reached Sun Circle, it intensified to EF3 strength again and caused significant damage to a few homes as well as moderate damage to many homes in the neighborhood. Beyond the subdivision along Sun Circle, the tornado caused tree damage again before reaching Evelyn Gandy|Parkway. It caused structural damage to an AT&T store by lifting the roof of the strip mall. It caused additional roof damage to several homes and a church along the Parkway as well as along Springridge Road and Corinth Road. As the tornado tore across Shawnee Trail, it caused impressive tree damage, which included snapping and uprooting hardwood and softwood trees. As the tornado tracked just south of|HDR Lane, it took down two metal electrical transmission lines. The tornado then destroyed a house along Macedonia Road, as well as causing additional roof to other homes and taking down numerous trees. Additional impressive tree damage occurred along Old Richton Road and Tyroby Lane. The tornado continued to down trees as it|tracked across Old Richton Road into Perry County. Comprehensive assessments from Forrest County emergency management officials count 499 homes in the county being destroyed or with major damage and 632 homes receiving minor damage.||The tornado path length in just Lamar and Forrest counties was 24.2 miles, although the entire path of the tornado in total was 31.3 miles. Along the entire tornado path the total number of homes destroyed or receiving major damage is estimated to be 531 with the number of homes having minor damage estimated at 689. Maximum estimated winds were 145 mph. The maximum path width was 900 yards, which occurred in the Petal area of Forrest County. This tornado affected a large number of forested areas. Approximately 1570 forested acres were damaged, with 1453 acres being privately owned. In total, 4320 acres were damaged from this tornado. The total economic impact was $410,784 in Lamar, Forrest and Perry counties. 777 total acres were damaged in Lamar County, and 400 in Forrest.

This tornado began along Purvis-Oloh Road, about 5 miles west northwest of Purvis. It tracked northeast across portions of Lamar County causing mainly tree damage, uprooting and snapping softwood and hardwood trees. It caused some minor to moderate structural damage as well. The tornado crossed Old Highway 11, continuing to cause mainly tree damage, although at least a few structures were also damaged. The tornado began to gain strength as it reached Slade Road, where some homes received roof damage. As the tornado crossed Sullivan Kilrain Road, additional homes received significant roof and structural damage, especially on Carter Circle and Tatum Camp Road. Comprehensive assessments from Lamar County emergency management officials count 26 homes in the county being destroyed or with major damage and 52 homes receiving minor damage. The tornado continued to gain strength as it crossed into Forrest County. There it struck a subdivision along Nellwood Drive, Lakeland Drive and Crestwood Drive and caused significant damage to many homes. Several homes received significant roof and structural damage. One home sustained significant damage and also was the site of one of the fatalities. As the tornado continued to track northeast, it caused extensive tree damage and powerline damage. It struck a church along Helveston Road, which suffered damage to the top floor. As the tornado approached William Cary College, it intensified to EF3 strength, causing damage to numerous buildings on campus. The tornado then affected a mobile home park, where it downed trees and caused damage to mobile homes. Here, two more fatalities occurred. It then caused structural damage to several homes, churches and businesses on James Street and Alcorn Road. Another|fatality occurred on Alcorn Road, when a tree fell on a home. The tornado continued to track northeast, crossing the Leaf River and headed into Petal. Here the tornado got very wide and continued to cause EF2 type damage to businesses along Main Street and into the neighborhoods on the southern side of the city. Extensive tree|damage occurred and countless homes had minor to major roof damage in the neighborhood south of Hillcrest Loop. As the tornado reached Sun Circle, it intensified to EF3 strength again and caused significant damage to a few homes as well as moderate damage to many homes in the neighborhood. Beyond the subdivision along Sun Circle, the tornado caused tree damage again before reaching Evelyn Gandy|Parkway. It caused structural damage to an AT&T store by lifting the roof of the strip mall. It caused additional roof damage to several homes and a church along the Parkway as well as along Springridge Road and Corinth Road. As the tornado tore across Shawnee Trail, it caused impressive tree damage, which included snapping and uprooting hardwood and softwood trees. As the tornado tracked just south of|HDR Lane, it took down two metal electrical transmission lines. The tornado then destroyed a house along Macedonia Road, as well as causing additional roof to other homes and taking down numerous trees. Additional impressive tree damage occurred along Old Richton Road and Tyroby Lane. The tornado continued to down trees as it|tracked across Old Richton Road into Perry County. Comprehensive assessments from Forrest County emergency management officials count 499 homes in the county being destroyed or with major damage and 632 homes receiving minor damage.||The tornado path length in just Lamar and Forrest counties was 24.2 miles, although the entire path of the tornado in total was 31.3 miles. Along the entire tornado path the total number of homes destroyed or receiving major damage is estimated to be 531 with the number of homes having minor damage estimated at 689. Maximum estimated winds were 145 mph. The maximum path width was 900 yards, which occurred in the Petal area of Forrest County. This tornado affected a large number of forested areas. Approximately 1570 forested acres were damaged, with 1453 acres being privately owned. In total, 4320 acres were damaged from this tornado. The total economic impact was $410,784 in Lamar, Forrest and Perry counties. 777 total acres were damaged in Lamar County, and 400 in Forrest.

The tornado began just southwest of Sones Road where it snapped a few limbs. The tornado continued northeast across Martin Bird Lane. The tornado was at its strongest at this point where it destroyed a double-wide mobile home. The debris from the mobile home was thrown nearly 125 yards from its original point. A car was also rolled approximately 75 yards. Two power poles were snapped along with a few trees at this location also. This location is where the fatality occurred. The tornado continued northeast across Beach Road where it snapped a few more trees. The tornado then continued northeast along Doc Johnson Road snapping a few trees along the way. This tornado damaged an outbuilding and also took the roof off of a chicken house along Doc Johnson Road. The tornado ended near Haden Road where it snapped a few more trees. Maximum estimated winds were 115 mph.

The tornado began just southwest of Sones Road where it snapped a few limbs. The tornado continued northeast across Martin Bird Lane. The tornado was at its strongest at this point where it destroyed a double-wide mobile home. The debris from the mobile home was thrown nearly 125 yards from its original point. A car was also rolled approximately 75 yards. Two power poles were snapped along with a few trees at this location also. This location is where the fatality occurred. The tornado continued northeast across Beach Road where it snapped a few more trees. The tornado then continued northeast along Doc Johnson Road snapping a few trees along the way. This tornado damaged an outbuilding and also took the roof off of a chicken house along Doc Johnson Road. The tornado ended near Haden Road where it snapped a few more trees. Maximum estimated winds were 115 mph.

Power lines were blown down on Pistol Ridge Road at Deavers Road. A barn roof was blown off along with some nickel sized hail along Deavers Road. Power lines were blown down west of Rock Hill.

A tree beside a home was struck by lightning, knocking out power to the home.

The tornado started along Highway 589, where some limbs and small trees were blown down. It became intense rather quickly, producing significant damage as it moved through the West Lake Serene area. The tornado reached its maximum intensity in the area around and just southwest of Oak Grove High School where maximum winds were estimated at 170 mph, which is EF-4 strength. There was a brick home in a subdivision southwest of the high school, just west of old Highway 11, that was completely leveled with all interior and exterior walls down, and a fair amount of large debris was blown downstream. Additionally, very high end timber damage occurred in this location with a number of trees showing debarking and denuding. Several other homes in this subdivision also sustained EF-2 to EF-3 damage. As the tornado crossed old Highway 11, it produced extensive damage on the campus of Oak Grove High School. The field house adjoining the football stadium was destroyed, the baseball stadium and a large metal building adjoining the stadium were essentially destroyed, and several large steel/concrete light standards were snapped at both the baseball and football stadiums. A vehicle was thrown from the parking lot adjoining the baseball stadium, up a small hill and was deposited near the pitching mound in the middle of the baseball field. The main building of the high school also suffered roof damage.||The tornado then moved northeast into the heavily populated areas of Oak Grove and West Hattiesburg, including areas along Lincoln Road Extension, Weathersby Road, Oak Grove Road, and the area just south of Highway 98 along Clark, Lamar and Foxgate Avenues. Numerous homes were destroyed or suffered major damage, and a few homes showed evidence of high end EF-3 damage. Dozens of power poles were snapped and extensive tree damage occurred. Video evidence and ground survey damage appeared to indicate that the tornado was multi-vortex in nature during its Lamar County portion. Just before crossing Interstate 59, it caused significant roof damage to a number of apartment buildings just west of the interstate. In total in Lamar County, emergency management indicated that 51 homes were destroyed and 170 suffered major damage.||The tornado then moved into Forrest County just to the south of Hardy Street damaging numerous homes with the damage in the EF-2 and EF-3 category. It then crossed Hardy Street impacting the southeast corner of the University of Southern Mississippi campus. Numerous buildings were damaged in this area including several campus buildings and a large church. Numerous power poles were blown down in this area and several metal traffic lights were bent or torn off their bases. Damage in this area was also EF-2 and EF-3.||The tornado continued across Highway 49 impacting multiple neighborhoods. Numerous roofs were blown off houses and many trees fell on houses and vehicles. The tornado crossed North Main Street causing significant damage to the Red Cross building, the Girl Scouts building, and bending large metal poles at the Hattiesburg High School athletic fields. The tornado then moved across east 7th Street causing significant damage to several large brick buildings. Damage in the area between north Main Street and east 7th Avenue was in the high end EF-3 range with maximum winds around 160 mph.||The tornado continued into Petal with the most significant damage occurring to an Ace Hardware store on South Main Street. Numerous homes in the vicinity of the hardware store also had roofs torn off and exterior walls collapsed. This damage was also rated high end EF-3 with maximum winds around 160 mph.||The tornado began to weaken as it crossed the Evelyn Gandy Parkway to the northeast of Petal. Damage in this area was mainly EF-1 and EF-2 and consisted of roof damage and snapped trees. The tornado strengthened one last time as it moved through a neighborhood just off Twin Lakes Road. Numerous well built homes experienced EF-2 damage to the roofs in this neighborhood. The tornado weakened as it approached the Perry County line and dissipated a couple of miles into Perry County. Damage at the end of the track was in the EF-0 to EF-1 range.||In Forrest County, emergency management indicated that 133 homes were destroyed and 207 suffered major damage. There were 63 reported injuries.||This is the second violent tornado to impact Lamar and Forrest Counties in recorded history. The other violent tornado was the infamous Purvis tornado on April 24, 1908 that was on the ground for 155 miles and impacted many counties across Mississippi. In total, 143 people were killed by this tornado, including 60 in Lamar County and 4 in Forrest County.

The tornado started along Highway 589, where some limbs and small trees were blown down. It became intense rather quickly, producing significant damage as it moved through the West Lake Serene area. The tornado reached its maximum intensity in the area around and just southwest of Oak Grove High School where maximum winds were estimated at 170 mph, which is EF-4 strength. There was a brick home in a subdivision southwest of the high school, just west of old Highway 11, that was completely leveled with all interior and exterior walls down, and a fair amount of large debris was blown downstream. Additionally, very high end timber damage occurred in this location with a number of trees showing debarking and denuding. Several other homes in this subdivision also sustained EF-2 to EF-3 damage. As the tornado crossed old Highway 11, it produced extensive damage on the campus of Oak Grove High School. The field house adjoining the football stadium was destroyed, the baseball stadium and a large metal building adjoining the stadium were essentially destroyed, and several large steel/concrete light standards were snapped at both the baseball and football stadiums. A vehicle was thrown from the parking lot adjoining the baseball stadium, up a small hill and was deposited near the pitching mound in the middle of the baseball field. The main building of the high school also suffered roof damage.||The tornado then moved northeast into the heavily populated areas of Oak Grove and West Hattiesburg, including areas along Lincoln Road Extension, Weathersby Road, Oak Grove Road, and the area just south of Highway 98 along Clark, Lamar and Foxgate Avenues. Numerous homes were destroyed or suffered major damage, and a few homes showed evidence of high end EF-3 damage. Dozens of power poles were snapped and extensive tree damage occurred. Video evidence and ground survey damage appeared to indicate that the tornado was multi-vortex in nature during its Lamar County portion. Just before crossing Interstate 59, it caused significant roof damage to a number of apartment buildings just west of the interstate. In total in Lamar County, emergency management indicated that 51 homes were destroyed and 170 suffered major damage.||The tornado then moved into Forrest County just to the south of Hardy Street damaging numerous homes with the damage in the EF-2 and EF-3 category. It then crossed Hardy Street impacting the southeast corner of the University of Southern Mississippi campus. Numerous buildings were damaged in this area including several campus buildings and a large church. Numerous power poles were blown down in this area and several metal traffic lights were bent or torn off their bases. Damage in this area was also EF-2 and EF-3.||The tornado continued across Highway 49 impacting multiple neighborhoods. Numerous roofs were blown off houses and many trees fell on houses and vehicles. The tornado crossed North Main Street causing significant damage to the Red Cross building, the Girl Scouts building, and bending large metal poles at the Hattiesburg High School athletic fields. The tornado then moved across east 7th Street causing significant damage to several large brick buildings. Damage in the area between north Main Street and east 7th Avenue was in the high end EF-3 range with maximum winds around 160 mph.||The tornado continued into Petal with the most significant damage occurring to an Ace Hardware store on South Main Street. Numerous homes in the vicinity of the hardware store also had roofs torn off and exterior walls collapsed. This damage was also rated high end EF-3 with maximum winds around 160 mph.||The tornado began to weaken as it crossed the Evelyn Gandy Parkway to the northeast of Petal. Damage in this area was mainly EF-1 and EF-2 and consisted of roof damage and snapped trees. The tornado strengthened one last time as it moved through a neighborhood just off Twin Lakes Road. Numerous well built homes experienced EF-2 damage to the roofs in this neighborhood. The tornado weakened as it approached the Perry County line and dissipated a couple of miles into Perry County. Damage at the end of the track was in the EF-0 to EF-1 range.||In Forrest County, emergency management indicated that 133 homes were destroyed and 207 suffered major damage. There were 63 reported injuries.||This is the second violent tornado to impact Lamar and Forrest Counties in recorded history. The other violent tornado was the infamous Purvis tornado on April 24, 1908 that was on the ground for 155 miles and impacted many counties across Mississippi. In total, 143 people were killed by this tornado, including 60 in Lamar County and 4 in Forrest County.

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, strong winds had downed eleven trees with one on a house and three on power lines. By early evening multiple trees were blown down all across the county, several of which were across roads. By mid morning on the 30th, more than 100 trees and numerous power lines were blown down across the county.

A few small trees were blown down in the Oak Grove area. Power lines were blown down near US Highway 98 and Cole Road.

Trees and power lines were blown down along Crown Zellerback Road northwest of Lumberton.

Power lines were down due to downed trees.

A swath of damaging thunderstorm winds affected the central and southern portions of Lamar County. One home was severely damaged on Sailfish Circle with part of the roof torn off. Five other homes in the area sustain minor damage. Four businesses sustained minor damage in the area. A power pole was blown down and the eaves of an office building were damaged along U.S. Highway 98.

A swath of damaging thunderstorm winds affected the central and southern portions of Lamar County. One home was severely damaged on Sailfish Circle with part of the roof torn off. Five other homes in the area sustain minor damage. Four businesses sustained minor damage in the area. A power pole was blown down and the eaves of an office building were damaged along U.S. Highway 98.

A tree and a power line were down along Old Highway 11.

Two trees were down which took out power lines in the Purvis area.

A tree was down on a power line along Duke Avenue in Purvis.

There were several trees blown down and some power outages in the southwest corner of the county.

A few trees and power lines were blown down.

Tropical storm force winds occurred across Lamar County as the outer edges of Hurricane Gustav moved across southern Louisiana. Numerous trees were downed across the county along with a few power lines. Two travel trailers were overturned in Purvis. Wind gusts peaked between 40 and 50 mph for a few hours.

A few trees and a power line were blown down.

A few trees and a power line were blown down.

A tree and a power line were blown down.

This tornado began on the east side of Purvis, here it downed some limbs and small trees. The tornado intensified and widened at it approached and crossed Interstate 59 near Black Creek. Numerous trees and large limbs were snapped along the path as it moved through the area between the interstate and Highway 49. Additionally, a couple homes and outbuildings were damaged by limbs or trees falling on them. The tornado intensified again and narrowed as it approached Highway 49 and the south gate of Camp Shelby. A number of large trees were downed along the highway, and from there to the actual gate of Camp Shelby. One large tree fell on a mobile home on the east side of Highway 49, destroying it. Shingles were pulled off a couple commercial buildings along the highway as well and 2 power poles were snapped. This area was where the tornado reached its maximum intensity. As the tornado moved across Camp Shelby, it remained narrow, but not as intense, with winds likely in the 70 to 80 mph range. The tornado downed numerous large limbs and sporadic trees as it moved across the base. One large tree fell on base quarters home, causing serious damage to it, and another tree fell on a vehicle, destroying it. Some other minor roof damage was noted. The tornado continued causing sporadic tree damage as it crossed Highway 98 near the Perry County line where it dissipated. Maximum winds were around 105 mph. The total path length across Lamar and Forrest Counties was 15 miles.

This tornado began on the east side of Purvis, here it downed some limbs and small trees. The tornado intensified and widened at it approached and crossed Interstate 59 near Black Creek. Numerous trees and large limbs were snapped along the path as it moved through the area between the interstate and Highway 49. Additionally, a couple homes and outbuildings were damaged by limbs or trees falling on them. The tornado intensified again and narrowed as it approached Highway 49 and the south gate of Camp Shelby. A number of large trees were downed along the highway, and from there to the actual gate of Camp Shelby. One large tree fell on a mobile home on the east side of Highway 49, destroying it. Shingles were pulled off a couple commercial buildings along the highway as well and 2 power poles were snapped. This area was where the tornado reached its maximum intensity. As the tornado moved across Camp Shelby, it remained narrow, but not as intense, with winds likely in the 70 to 80 mph range. The tornado downed numerous large limbs and sporadic trees as it moved across the base. One large tree fell on base quarters home, causing serious damage to it, and another tree fell on a vehicle, destroying it. Some other minor roof damage was noted. The tornado continued causing sporadic tree damage as it crossed Highway 98 near the Perry County line where it dissipated. Maximum winds were around 105 mph. The total path length across Lamar and Forrest Counties was 15 miles.

A few power lines were blown down off near the intersection of Highway 98 and Highway 589.

A few power lines were blown down.

Numerous trees were blown down in the West Hattiesburg area. One power pole was blown down along with several trees blocking roads. In the Bent Creek subdivision, 9 trees were also blown down.

Scattered trees blown down onto power lines.

A few trees and power lines were blown down.

Several trees and power lines were blown down.

A few trees were blown down, which caused some downed power lines.

Many trees were blown down and caused minor structural damage. Several power lines were blown down and a few power lines were knocked down by fallen tree limbs.

A number of trees were blown down, which caused downed power lines and minor damage to a few homes.

Many trees were blown down and caused minor structural damage and downed power lines.