A large and powerful storm system brought several rounds of severe weather to a large section of the Central United States. The Central Plains were hit hard on Thursday, May 1st, while the Mid-South and Lower Mississippi River Valley were impacted on Friday, May 2nd into the early morning hours of May 3rd. As this severe weather episode evolved over the National Weather Service Jackson, MS service area, several tornadoes occurred, along with large hail and damaging winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in FORREST, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 05:17:00 to 03-MAY-08 05:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: BONHOMIE
Magnitude: 68.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Several trees were blown down along with some downed power lines and power poles. Damage occurred along Browns Bridge Road and around Elks Lake.

Hail in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 19:28:00 to 02-MAY-08 20:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUTAW
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Thunderstorm Wind in CLARKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 05:04:00 to 03-MAY-08 05:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: SNELL
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few trees were blown down across area roads.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLARKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 04:44:00 to 03-MAY-08 04:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENTERPRISE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees were blown down across northwest Clarke County. A few were down along I-50 just west of Enterprise and others were down across roads around Stonewall.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAMAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 04:54:00 to 03-MAY-08 04:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARDWELL STATION
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A couple trees were blown down in West Hattiesburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in JONES, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 05:00:00 to 03-MAY-08 05:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOSELLE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered trees were blown down across the southern portion of Jones County. One large tree was across Moselle Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in JONES, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 05:18:00 to 03-MAY-08 05:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLODGETT
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees were blown down around Ovett and the Landrum Community. One was down on a mobile home.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 04:21:00 to 03-MAY-08 04:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: SYLVARENA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A couple of trees were blown down near the Leaf River.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 04:25:00 to 03-MAY-08 04:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTER RIDGE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in COVINGTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 04:30:00 to 03-MAY-08 04:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLLINS JAYCEE ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A couple of trees were blown down, one along Sunset Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 04:30:00 to 03-MAY-08 04:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAYLORSVILLE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several trees were blown down around town.

Thunderstorm Wind in JASPER, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 04:44:00 to 03-MAY-08 04:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: STRINGER
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several trees were blown down along County Road 1915 just east of Stringer.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 03:16:00 to 03-MAY-08 03:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROXIE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Several trees were blown down on power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEAKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 02:54:00 to 03-MAY-08 02:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDINBURG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A couple trees were blown down, one blocked a portion of Highway 427.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 03:26:00 to 03-MAY-08 03:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: TILTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Numerous large limbs were blown down around Oak Vale.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 03:30:00 to 03-MAY-08 03:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SYLVARENA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

One large pecan tree was blown down across Highway 531 along with numerous large limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 03:53:00 to 03-MAY-08 03:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURNS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few trees were blown down near Burns.

Hail in LEFLORE, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 23:31:00 to 02-MAY-08 23:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONEY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in HUMPHREYS, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 23:56:00 to 03-MAY-08 00:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOODEN LAKE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in WASHINGTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 23:25:00 to 02-MAY-08 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLLANDALE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Thunderstorm Wind in GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 00:05:00 to 03-MAY-08 00:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: FUTHEYVILLE
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees were blown down, one tree blocked a portion of Highway 8.

Thunderstorm Wind in YAZOO, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 00:41:00 to 03-MAY-08 00:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMPBELLSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Numerous large limbs were blown down around Holly Bluff.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARROLL, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 00:07:00 to 03-MAY-08 00:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: COILA
Magnitude: 57.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Scattered trees were blown down across a large portion of central Carroll County.

Hail in MADISON, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 02:16:00 to 03-MAY-08 02:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANSDALE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in ISSAQUENA, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 00:35:00 to 03-MAY-08 01:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW FITLER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 01:25:00 to 03-MAY-08 01:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRANGE HALL
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Multiple trees were blown down along Grange Ferry and Fisher Ferry Roads on the south side of Vicksburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 02:11:00 to 03-MAY-08 02:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHURCH HILL
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Several trees were blown down on power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEAKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAY-08 02:36:00 to 03-MAY-08 02:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST ANN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A couple trees were blown down, one on Jack Boot Road and the other blocking Highway 429.

Hail in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 17:43:00 to 02-MAY-08 17:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAXHAW
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in HINDS, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 13:29:00 to 02-MAY-08 13:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORGANS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Tornado in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 19:07:00 to 02-MAY-08 19:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENOIT VLY FLD
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted along the path along with some power lines snapped in one location. Maximum winds were around 105 mph.

Flash Flood in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 22:10:00 to 03-MAY-08 00:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEESON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Repetitive thunderstorms produced locally heavy rain between 4 and 6 inches across the northern half of Bolivar County. This rainfall flooded numerous fields with standing water covering large portions of farmland. This high water damaged and killed many crops which had to be replanted.

Lightning in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 19:30:00 to 02-MAY-08 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: RENOVA
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Five air conditioning units were damaged by lightning which struck the Bolivar County Correctional Facility. All the units had to be replaced.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEFLORE, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 23:17:00 to 02-MAY-08 23:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: SCHLATER
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A portion of a metal awning was blown off at a gas station.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEFLORE, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 23:30:00 to 02-MAY-08 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUBY
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees were blown down near Six Mile Lake, one large tree was down across the highway just north of Money.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 23:48:00 to 02-MAY-08 23:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLCOMB
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few power lines were blown down.

Hail in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 16:23:00 to 02-MAY-08 16:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALLIGATOR BOOGA FLD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tornado in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 18:33:00 to 02-MAY-08 18:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAMONT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters viewed this tornado on the ground just west of Winterville and Lamont. The tornado had a little debris which was thrown across a field just west of Highway 1. The tornado was only on the ground between 2 and 3 miles with maximum winds around 85 mph. The tornado did cross into extreme southwest Bolivar County from far northwest Washington County.

Tornado in WASHINGTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 18:32:00 to 02-MAY-08 18:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINTERVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters viewed this tornado on the ground just west of Winterville and Lamont. The tornado had a little debris which was thrown across a field just west of Highway 1. The tornado was only on the ground between 2 and 3 miles with maximum winds around 85 mph. The tornado did cross into extreme southwest Bolivar County from far northwest Washington County.

Hail in MADISON, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 14:08:00 to 02-MAY-08 14:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLORA LANE ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 15:00:00 to 02-MAY-08 15:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELBY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 17:16:00 to 02-MAY-08 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRANCIS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 18:15:00 to 02-MAY-08 18:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELBY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 18:24:00 to 02-MAY-08 18:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAMONT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of penny sized hail fell from a long lived supercell which produced a tornado along the Washington/Bolivar line and then another tornado Between Benoit and Cleveland.

Tornado in LEFLORE, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAY-08 23:49:00 to 02-MAY-08 23:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAYDAY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado briefly touched down near Morgan City. Numerous hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted along the short path. The most intense damage occurred in a pecan grove just north of the Yazoo River. One large tree fell on a house causing significant damage. Maximum winds were around 105 mph.