 The National Weather Service rated the tornado as an EF4 and later determined that there were two distinct tracks, with an EF3 satellite tornado to the southwest of the main one. It was originally believed a third (an EF3) touched down but it was later found to be linked to the main one that hit Union University. This was the third violent tornado to hit Jackson in 10 years. Two others, both rated F4, had devastated the community on January 17, 1999 and May 4, 2003.
