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ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026-MSZ018-019-025>066-072>074-
191400-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
755 PM CST Wed Dec 18 2019

...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 12/16/19 TORNADO EVENT - UPDATE #6...

.UPDATE...Added EF1 tornado in Tensas Parish and Claiborne and
Warren County. Added EF3 tornado from Amite County that continued
into Lincoln County, with the survey completed today.

.GRAND GULF TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    105 mph
Path Length /statute/:  11.72 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   600.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             12/16/2019
Start Time:             11:08 AM CST
Start Location:         8 WNW Port Gibson / Tensas Parish / LA
Start Lat/Lon:          32.0226 / -91.0938

End Date:               12/16/2019
End Time:               11:31 AM CST
End Location:           11 NNE Port Gibson / Warren County / MS
End Lat/Lon:            32.1124 / -90.9247

Summary: This tornado began just west of the Mississippi River
north of St. Joseph. The tornado damage was observed in the
bluffs, east of the Mississippi River, snapping and uprooting
numerous trees along the path. This is where the tornado was the
strongest and widest, with nearly 105mph winds. In addition,
trees were uprooted along the Grand Gulf Road and Back Grand Gulf
Road. In Grand Gulf Military Park, there was damage to a steeple
at a historic church. Along the Mississippi River bluffs, the
track was visible well to the northeast, with widespread tree
damage in the distance. The forested area to the northeast was
inaccessible in Claiborne County and into the Big Black River
basin until it crossed into southern Warren County. Here the
tornado crossed Allen Station Road, where widespread tree damage
and minor roof damage occurred to mobile homes in a hunting camp.
The tornado continued to track northeast before crossing Highway
61, where small limb damage was observed, and shortly lifting
soon after.

.EDWARDS TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    110 mph
Path Length /statute/:  22.68 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   616.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             12/16/2019
Start Time:             11:48 AM CST
Start Location:         10 SE Vicksburg / Warren County / MS
Start Lat/Lon:          32.2043 / -90.7831

End Date:               12/16/2019
End Time:               12:24 PM CST
End Location:           6 NW Bolton / Hinds County / MS
End Lat/Lon:            32.4326 / -90.5169

Summary: This EF-1 tornado began in a wooded area along the Big
Black River in far southeastern Warren County, tracking
northeastward across the Big Black River and into Hinds County
just south of the MS Highway 27 bridge where some small trees and
large tree branches were snapped. The tornado continued across
rural western Hinds County producing EF-0 damage to small trees.
It strengthened to high end EF-1 status as it approached Edwards,
snapping utility poles and causing damage at a substation near Mt
Moriah Rd and Chicester Rd. As the storm moved across the south
side of Edwards, numerous trees were snapped along Staple St,
Ashcot Cir, Wither St, and Royal St. Several homes in this area
sustained damage, some significant, due to falling trees. In
addition, numerous homes sustained roof damage due to wind. The
tornado tracked over the eastern side of downtown Edwards,
causing additional roof and tree damage on Cemetery Rd and along
the I-20 frontage roads where it crossed east of the Edwards
interchange. It then crossed MS 22 near Gaddis Rd and Bradley Rd,
Good Hope Rd and Farr Rd near Champion Hill, and finally lifted
as it crossed Martin Rd where it produced minor tree damage.

.SW FRANKLIN COUNTY TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF2
Estimated Peak Wind:    120 mph
Path Length /statute/:  4.33 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   720.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             12/16/2019
Start Time:             02:34 PM CST
Start Location:         8 SSW Roxie / Franklin County / MS
Start Lat/Lon:          31.4046 / -91.1485

End Date:               12/16/2019
End Time:               02:43 PM CST
End Location:           4 SSW Roxie / Franklin County / MS
End Lat/Lon:            31.4398 / -91.0898

Summary: This EF-2 tornado began in a forested area near the
Adams/Franklin Co line northwest of the Knoxville community and
tracked across Liberty Rd, snapping and uprooting several trees.
It continued northeastward across Enterprise Rd where it produced
more prolific tree damage with numerous hardwood trees snapped.
At this location, a home sustained major roof damage and was
shifted by an uprooted tree, with debris swept downwind into a
nearby wooded area. An adjacent outbuilding was also heavily
damaged. The tornado then crossed MS Highway 33 where several
additional trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado lifted
shortly thereafter.

.AMITE-LINCOLN COUNTY TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF3
Estimated Peak Wind:    140 mph
Path Length /statute/:  10.43 miles in Lincoln (30.43 miles total)
Path Width /maximum/:   880.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             12/16/2019
Start Time:             03:02 PM CST
Start Location:         3 ENE Smithdale / Lincoln County / MS
Start Lat/Lon:          31.3494 / -90.6306

End Date:               12/16/2019
End Time:               03:20 PM CST
End Location:           2 W Bogue Chitto / Lincoln County / MS
End Lat/Lon:            31.4296 / -90.4819

Summary: This tornado began in Amite County, where the tornado
was at its strongest and 3 injuries occurred. It eventually 
crossed the Lincoln County line. In this vicinity, the tornado was
the strongest with nearly EF2 winds of 125mph causing a 
widespread area of snapped and uprooted trees and substantial roof
loss to one to two residences. The tornado continued northeast 
over Plum Trail, Highway 569, Frances Trail and Jackson Liberty 
Drive. The tornado continued to damage trees along these areas, 
with some roads inaccessible. Some powerpoles were broken along 
the intersection of Highway 98 and Highway 569. The tornado 
continued northeast and slightly narrowed over Chisolm Drive and 
eventually Summit Drive. It continued northeast before crossing 
Shannon Drive, Concord Lane, Homesville Road and Wallace Drive. 
Here the tornado strengthened back to low end EF2 damage, with 
winds around 115mph, snapping and uprooting numerous large trees. 
One residence on Shannon Road had moderate roof loss, causing 
damage to brick facade to one corner of the home. Another home had
major roof uplift and loss over the garage and attic, loss of 
front and back porch and destruction to an outbuilding. Here two 
vehicles were moved slightly and damaged. Along Homesville Road, a
home received minor roof damage while a small outbuilding was 
destroyed by a fallen tree, with widespread tree damage in the 
distance. Another home along Concord Lane had full roof uplift and
loss, causing collapse to brick facade to one side of the home. 
The tornado then crossed Bogue Chitto Road, where some trees where
a narrow path of tree damage was observed. The tornado began to 
weaken and breaking small limbs in Big Creek Drive and Tandy Trail
area, before lifting just before crossing Interstate 55.

.COLUMBIA TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF2
Estimated Peak Wind:    112 mph
Path Length /statute/:  7.49 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   350.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               3

Start Date:             12/16/2019
Start Time:             4:41 PM CST
Start Location:         7 SW Columbia / Marion County / MS
Start Lat/Lon:          31.1927 / -89.9206

End Date:               12/16/2019
End Time:               4:52 PM CST
End Location:           1 E Columbia / Marion County / MS
End Lat/Lon:            31.2544 / -89.8175

Summary: This multi-vortex tornado began south of US Highway
98 near Mays Creek off Shiloh Firetower Road as a few tree limbs
were snapped.  It then moved east-northeast across New Hope
Church Road as it was snapping and uprooting a few softwood
trees. Thereafter, it pushed northeast to MS Highway 35 
continuing to snap a few softwood trees with a more concentrated 
area of snapped and uprooted softwood/hardwood trees noted across 
the southern portions of Foxworth along Triangle Street. It 
gained in strength when it moved across US Highway 98, to 
southwest Columbia as it impacted Bills Collision causing damage 
to the main storefront by way of portions of roof loss, the body 
shop area having its roof removed, shattering windows, in addition 
to tossing a car completely over the storefront thus promoting 
significant damage. Other vehicles were moved or flipped on the 
lot as well along with sustaining damage. The tornado moved 
northeast across the eastern side of Columbia with roof damage 
to the library. Other damage was on the low end with some tree 
damage at Pearl Street, Church Street and Beauvoir Street before 
finally lifting.  Maximum winds were estimated around 112 mph.

.SILVER CREEK TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF2
Estimated Peak Wind:    130 mph
Path Length /statute/:  10.92 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   600.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               1

Start Date:             12/16/2019
Start Time:             04:44 PM CST
Start Location:         1 NNW Silver Creek / Lawrence County / MS
Start Lat/Lon:          31.6159 / -90.0076

End Date:               12/16/2019
End Time:               05:00 PM CST
End Location:           7 N Prentiss / Jefferson Davis County /MS
End Lat/Lon:            31.6951 / -89.8527

Summary: This tornado started just NNW 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 Rd. 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 Rd, 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 Rd, although the
tornado weakened a bit at this point, it still snapped and
uprooted numerous trees. The tornado then moved along Gholar Rd.
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 Rd. 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 Rd. Here more
trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado crossed Highway
13 and then dissipated at Sugar Ridge Rd but not before snapping
a few tree limbs. Maximum winds were estimated around 130 mph.

.NE MARION COUNTY TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    100 mph
Path Length /statute/:  6.21 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   440.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             12/16/2019
Start Time:             4:56 PM CST
Start Location:         4 ENE Columbia / Marion County / MS
Start Lat/Lon:          31.2824 / -89.7682

End Date:               12/16/2019
End Time:               5:07 PM CST
End Location:           10 SW Sumrall / Marion County / MS
End Lat/Lon:            31.3222 / -89.6745

Summary: This tornado spawned from the same supercell that
produced the Columbia tornado. This tornado touch down southeast
of Highway 44 along Pierce Road snapping large tree limbs and
uprooting softwood trees.  It continued to uproot trees and snap
large tree limbs as it progressed northeast to Kendrick Road and
Improve Road where at the latter road, it also caused the
collapse of a couple sheds. It lifted once it reached Christian
Union Road, however not before removing some shingles from a
single-story home.

.SUMRALL TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF3
Estimated Peak Wind:    136 mph
Path Length /statute/:  5.84 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   560.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               7

Start Date:             12/16/2019
Start Time:             5:17 PM CST
Start Location:         3 SW Sumrall / Lamar County / MS
Start Lat/Lon:          31.3902 / -89.5764

End Date:               12/16/2019
End Time:               5:25 PM CST
End Location:           3 ENE Sumrall / Covington County / MS
End Lat/Lon:            31.4379 / -89.4949

Summary: This tornado began near Bear Bay off of Rocky Branch
Road where it snapped a few softwood tree limbs and removed a
large portion of a home s roof.  The tornado rapidly increased in
strength as it progressed northeast to west of MS Highway
589/Main Street where it snapped numerous softwood trees. The
damage here supported a multi-vortex tornado as one very intense
vortex occurred. A well built brick structure had the roof
removed and one of the exterior walls  collapsed. Six vehicles
were thrown with two large vans thrown 40-60 yds into a pile. 
One hardwood tree was ripped out of the ground (with no root
ball) and piled by the vans. It then crossed MS Highway 589/Main
Street snapping and uprooting multiple softwood trees and causing
damage to the portion of a one-story home. It continued to snap
the trunks and large branches of softwood trees when it moved
northeast to Poplar Street. A large cluster of snapped softwood
trees was clearly evident once it neared MS Highway 42, and it
continued to snap softwood trees when it crossed MS Highway 42.
Just north of Highway 42, an insulation company had damage to its
metal storage building, where some walls were pulled from the
building.  When the tornado reached the Sumrall Sports Complex at
Rayburn Road, it caused damage to the fence and bleachers. The
tornado continued northeast to the Lamar and Covington County
state line where it continued to snap large softwood tree
branches along the Lamar County side, and uprooted a few softwood
trees along southern Covington County. Maximum winds were
estimated around 136 mph.

.MIZE TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF3
Estimated Peak Wind:    150 mph
Path Length /statute/:  18.75 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   1320.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             12/16/2019
Start Time:             5:19 PM CST 
Start Location:         2 NNW Mount Olive / Simpson County / MS 
Start Lat/Lon:          31.7925 / -89.6781

End Date:               12/16/2019
End Time:               5:51 PM CST
End Location:           4 SW Sylvarena / Smith County / MS
End Lat/Lon:            31.9755 / -89.4451

Summary: This EF3 tornado started in far SE Simpson County
(Saratoga community) where a few trees were downed, it then moved
into SW Smith County where the damage increased. The Calvary
Church was damaged along with a few other buildings, sheds and
one small wooden home had the roof off. Many trees were uprooted
and snapped along with power lines down. The tornado continued NE
across SCR53 and 57. Intensity increased as tree and power line
damage increased. Several homes in the area sustained some damage
and 3 different groups of chicken houses were heavily damaged or
destroyed. The tornado continued to intensify as it approached
Highway 28 near Mize. Numerous and extensive tree damage was
noted, especially in a focused corridor, indicative of a multi-
vortex tornado. The most intense damage occurred just off SCR
58 where a well built brick home lost its roof and 75% of its
exterior walls. A F250 truck and Toyota truck were thrown 200 yds
into a pasture along with a few ATVs thrown considerable
distance. Multiple structures and chicken houses were heavily
damaged near Highway 28 on the W, NW, and N side of Mize.
Extensive tree damage occurred as well along with power lines
down. Along SCR100, a well built brick home lost the entire roof
and one outer wall. A large shed was destroyed and a tractor and
boat were thrown 50 yds. Numerous power lines/poles were down as
well. The tornado continue NE and crossed Highway 35 and the
intensity lessened a bit. Beyond Highway 35, most of the damage
was to trees and power lines along with some minor damage to a
few homes. The tornado dissipated just after it crossed SCR 93.
Maximum estimated winds were around 150 mph at peak intensity. 

.LAUREL TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF3
Estimated Peak Wind:    140 mph
Path Length /statute/:  51.41 miles in MS (61.34 miles total)
Path Width /maximum/:   350.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             12/16/2019
Start Time:             5:59 PM CST
Start Location:         2 SW Laurel / Jones County / MS
Start Lat/Lon:          31.6724 / -89.1726

End Date:               12/16/2019
End Time:               7:16 PM CST
End Location:           Hinton / Choctaw County / AL
End Lat/Lon:            32.0877 / -88.4489

Summary: This tornado touched down over the Hesler-Noble airfield
and quickly moved northeast across Hillcrest Drive and into 
downtown Laurel. Through town, the tornado produced a continuous 
path of snapped and uprooted trees, broken tree limbs, and minor 
structural damage to homes and businesses. As it crossed N 16th 
Ave., it produced more significant damage to several businesses 
and a hotel, including briefly lifting the roof of the Super 8, 
collapsing portions of a small strip mall and standalone office 
building, and causing damage to the exterior and roofing of the 
Piggly Wiggly. A semi-truck and flatbed trailer carrying 
automobiles was also overturned in this area. The tornado 
continued to damage or blow down trees as it passed through the 
neighborhoods and then warehouse district of downtown, with 
several trees falling onto and damaging homes and cars. The Nora 
Davis Magnet School sustained heavy roof damage and a nearby home 
lost its entire roof and carport as the tornado crossed Interstate
59 and moved east of Laurel. It was in this area that the most 
intense damage occurred and was rated at EF3. A few electrical 
transmission trusses were collapsed, and the Wade Services 
manufacturing plant took a direct hit and experienced a total 
collapse of its structures. The tornado remained east of US 
Highway 11 as it crossed through Erata and Sandersville, causing a
continuous path and uprooted trees. It briefly passed through the
far northwestern corner of Wayne County northwest of Eucutta and 
then crossed into southern Clarke County near County road 230. 
Damage to many trees and a few homes occurred as it continued 
northeast across US Highway 45 and into Alabama where MS Highway 
18 meets the state line near Hinton, AL. Two mobile homes in 
southern Clarke County were rolled and severely damaged, and two 
single family homes in the county experienced severe roof damage. 
Residents in both mobile homes received advance warning of the 
tornado and were able to shelter in another location before it 
hit. The tornado continued into Alabama before it dissipated.

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories.

EF0...Weak......65 TO 85 mph
EF1...Weak......86 TO 110 mph
EF2...Strong....111 TO 135 mph
EF3...Strong....136 TO 165 mph
EF4...Violent...166 TO 200mph
EF5...Violent...>200mph

NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS 
Storm Data. 

$$

CE/FB/BP/NF/DC/DL/TW/LM/JC/