Compelling storms battered Mississippi and Louisiana on Sunday evening. By 4 P.M., there were 13 radars that confirmed the presence of a tornado. According to the National Weather Service, Jefferson Davis County obtained two tornado emergency warnings with one of them coming after 4:00 in the afternoon.
There was one fatality confirmed by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency in Walthall County as of early Sunday evening, while "possible fatalities" were suspected by the NWS in Jefferson Davis County from Sunday's rush of severe weather events.
Terrified locals shared photos and videos on social media depicting the wrath of the storm, and repeatedly begged people to take cover as the warning of the coming tornadoes were "violent," "large," and "catastrophic."
Significant #tornado damage in first views of #Soso, Mississippi after it was directly hit by destructive tornado a little while ago! #mswx https://t.co/9A6xgxe46Q — WEATHER/ METEO WORLD (@StormchaserUKEU) April 12, 2020
Highlights From the Storm
As early as 11 A.M. on Sunday, April 13, 2020, The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for nearly half of Mississipi state until 8 P.M. Sunday.
At 12:18 P.M., the NWS issued a tornado warning for Issaquena and Sharkey counties. Issaquena and Warren counties also were under a severe thunderstorm warning until 1:15 P.M.
At 1:32 P.M., the NSW observed a tornado in Yazoo county.
At 1:45 P.M,. power outages have been reported across Mississippi as the tornado sweeps the state.
Entergy, an integrated energy company, left more than 5,000 customers without power. The majority of consumers were from Attala and Hinds County. Similarly, Southern Pine reported having more than 300 outages, chiefly in Jasper County. Mississippi power also left 93 customers without electricity.
At 3:30 P.M., reports on damage have been trickling around Mississipi as the storm hit. Posts about the storm circled social media.
At 4:00 P.M., NWS reported that 13 radars confirmed tornadoes in Mississippi and Northeastern Louisiana. Up to this time, Mississippi remained under a "Particular Dangerous Situation" until 8 P.M.
At 4:45 P.M., the tornado hit the ground at Lawrence Country. According to NWS, its course suggested a direction heading on to Jefferson Davis Country. This was the second storm that hit the area today.
At 5:10 P.M., tornadoes were reported as they approached Collins area and Covington County. The National Weather Service described the tornadoes as "violent" and "deadly." A flash flood warning has also been issued from Carthage to Neshoba to Macon.
At 5:15 P.M., "possible fatalities" in Jefferson Davis County have been reported as the county went under two tornado emergencies.
At 5:25 P.M., the NWS in Jackson advised residents of Hot Coffee to secure a safe place as the storm had "good rotation and debris signature."
At 5:36 P.M., a severe thunderstorm warning continued for Humphreys, Sharkey, Sunflower, Washington, Warren and Yazoo counties until 6 P.M.
Latest update
The latest update as of 5:45 P.M. was the issuance of a tornado warning for Kemper and Lauderdale counties until 6:45 P.M.
Mississippi State continues to feel the wrath of the tornadoes up to now. More updates are to follow in this story.
