An outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes occurred on Super Tuesday February 5th 2008. The worst tornadoes and majority of the severe weather occurred to the north of our service area. However, our region did receive quite of a bit of weather with several weak tornadoes, large hail, and wind damage. The worst storm in the Jackson, MS service area was a supercell thunderstorm which tracked across southeast Arkansas and northwest Mississippi. This storm produced several weak tornadoes, but will be know for the very large hail and damage it produced. Hail between baseball and softball size occurred during some of its life with golf ball size occurring throughout its life. Dozens of vehicles were damaged along the path from the very large hail.
The day was setup by near record high temperatures and a very moist and unstable atmosphere. A potent low pressure system and cold front developed over North Texas early Tuesday. As the area of low pressure deepened and tracked northeast across Central Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas the combination of unstable air and strong wind shear lead to a tornado and severe weather outbreak across the Southeast US. This was just the first round of severe storms to impact the region. A line of storms developed along a pre-frontal trough early Tuesday evening and quickly moved east across the area through early Wednesday morning bringing with it damaging winds and hail.
This outbreak of severe storms produced a little over 80 tornadoes which were responsible for 56 fatalities and hundreds of injuries across about 9 states. Of those 80 plus tornadoes, 5 were rated EF3 and 5 more rated EF4. The longest tornado occurred in north-central Arkansas and was on the ground for 123 miles and was rated and EF4. This was the longest single tornado track recorded in Arkansas since detailed reporting began in 1950.

Thunderstorm Wind in COPIAH, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 01:43:00 to 06-FEB-08 01:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAZLEHURST
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

A few trees were blown down on power lines in Hazlehurst.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAIBORNE, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 01:10:00 to 06-FEB-08 01:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: INSMORE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Numerous large limbs were blown down along Highway 548 near Shelby Road.

Hail in MADISON, MISSISSIPPI
From 05-FEB-08 14:57:00 to 05-FEB-08 15:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: CANTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Thunderstorm Wind in ATTALA, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 01:40:00 to 06-FEB-08 01:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: ETHEL
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A few areas of trees and limbs were blown down along Highways 19 and 14. One power pole was snapped in the area as well.

Hail in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 05-FEB-08 16:22:00 to 05-FEB-08 17:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUTAW
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large supercell thunderstorm tracked out of southeast Arkansas and into Bolivar County and produced a swath of quarter to golf ball sized hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in HINDS, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 01:22:00 to 06-FEB-08 01:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: TERRY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few trees and several large limbs were blown down at Terry Road and Lebanon Pine Grove Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANKIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 01:35:00 to 06-FEB-08 01:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLOWOOD
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered trees were blown down with one tree down on a house.

Tornado in YAZOO, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 00:46:00 to 06-FEB-08 00:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: SCOTLAND FORK
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 180.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado started about 9 miles south southeast of Benton in the  Myrleville community. Along the path, two grain bins destroyed, a tractor trailer was blown on its side, metal roofing was peeled off of a home, and power poles were blown down off Berryville Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 00:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 00:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWMANS
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous large trees and power lines were blown down in eastern Warren County.

Tornado in NOXUBEE, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 01:55:00 to 06-FEB-08 01:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAULETTE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This weak tornado briefly touched down near the Paulette Community. A narrow path of mainly small trees were snapped along with limbs down. Maximum winds were around 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLARKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 03:32:00 to 06-FEB-08 03:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAVIS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few trees were blown down on Highway 511 and on county road 310.

Hail in RANKIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 01:34:00 to 06-FEB-08 01:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKELAND
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in YAZOO, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 00:44:00 to 06-FEB-08 00:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: SCOTLAND FORK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few large trees blown down off Higgins Road.

Tornado in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 05-FEB-08 16:45:00 to 05-FEB-08 16:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: NILES
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 70.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This weak tornado touched down just east of Rosedale and traveled for about three miles to just northwest of the Malvina Community. A few trees were uprooted and one mobile home had the roof removed. A large gas storage tank was rolled over in the area as well.

Tornado in LEAKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 01:25:00 to 06-FEB-08 01:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: SINGLETON
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down in the Singleton Community and downed several large pines near Minshew road. Other smaller trees were snapped in a convergent path. Maximum winds were around 95 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 00:50:00 to 06-FEB-08 00:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: LORMAN
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

A large pine tree was blown down and power pole snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind in OKTIBBEHA, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 02:25:00 to 06-FEB-08 02:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: STARKVILLE BRYAN ARP
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Several trees were blown down on power lines. The power was out to 402 customers.

Strong Wind in WINSTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 05-FEB-08 18:30:00 to 05-FEB-08 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees were blown down on White Circle.

Hail in NOXUBEE, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 02:03:00 to 06-FEB-08 02:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOGEYE COMM
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Strong Wind in WARREN, MISSISSIPPI
From 05-FEB-08 17:25:00 to 05-FEB-08 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

One tree was blown down and landed on a house. The home was heavily damaged.

Hail in WARREN, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 00:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 00:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: VICKSBURG
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of quarter to golf ball sized hail fell across eastern Warren County.

Thunderstorm Wind in WINSTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 01:56:00 to 06-FEB-08 01:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: HIGH PT
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several trees were snapped along Highway 14 with others topped.

Thunderstorm Wind in WINSTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 03:10:00 to 06-FEB-08 03:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: FEARNS SPGS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A few trees were blown down across Highway 397.

Hail in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 05-FEB-08 21:27:00 to 05-FEB-08 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUNNISON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 05-FEB-08 17:04:00 to 05-FEB-08 17:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUSHPUCKENA
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A highway sign was snapped along Highway 61 along with large limbs blown  onto a garage.

Thunderstorm Wind in KEMPER, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 02:35:00 to 06-FEB-08 02:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRESTON
Magnitude: 57.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Post Office

A few trees were blown down across Highway 397.

Hail in CLAY, MISSISSIPPI
From 06-FEB-08 01:12:00 to 06-FEB-08 01:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST PT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A swath of quarter size hail fell across east and northeast Clay County as a supercell thunderstorm was intensifying.

Thunderstorm Wind in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 05-FEB-08 21:30:00 to 05-FEB-08 21:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUNNISON
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few trees and power lines were blown down from Gunnison to Duncan.