A strong low pressure system moving across the middle Mississippi River Valley drove a strong cold front through the area. A squall line developed ahead of the cold front with isolated supercells ahead of the squall line. Multiple reports of severe weather were received.

Tornado in WILKINSON, MISSISSIPPI
From 25-DEC-12 14:31:00 to 25-DEC-12 14:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTREVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado first touched down south of Highway 24, just east of the intersection of Highway 33 and Highway 24 on the south side of Centreville. Initially, numerous soft wood trees and a few hard woods were snapped and uprooted, and a few power poles lost their crossmembers. The tornado quickly moved to the east-northeast across Highway 24 uprooting another 6 to 10 trees, one of which clipped a house, bringing down much of the east facing wall. The tornado was 170-200 yards wide at this point and continued into the town of Centreville. A tire service station lost most of its canopy with the columns still standing, and the Centreville Head Start lost its metal awning.
The tornado crossed Fort Street with many more trees coming down, one on top of a car. Also along Fort Street, a single-wide mobile home lost most of its exterior walls. On East Howard Street, another tree fell into a house, pinning and injuring a lady. The tornado continued to the east-northeast, leading to another area of significant tree damage, uprooting and snapping numerous hard woods. A residence had minor structural damage leading to the carport partially collapsing. The tornado moved along Highway 48 for about another mile causing light tree damage before lifting. Times were based on radar and eyewitness reports. Maximum wind speed was estimated at 105 mph.

Tornado in PEARL RIVER, MISSISSIPPI
From 25-DEC-12 15:20:00 to 25-DEC-12 15:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILL CREEK
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado initially touched down on Harris Road on the southwest side of McNeil causing EF0 and EF1 damage, where it snapped several pine trees. It moved northeastward and rapidly intensified, resulting in a small area of upper range EF-2 and low end EF-3 damage along Joe Smith Road and Sones Chapel Road. The worst damage occurred when a single story brick veneer triplex dwelling was destroyed with only two small interior walls standing. The tornado weakened after crossing Highway 11, causing mainly tree and minor roof damage, until it re-intensified in the far northeast corner of Pearl River County near Red Hill church Road. It caused upper range EF-1 damage as it was leaving Pearl River County into Stone County. County officials preliminary estimate of 22 homes destroyed, 8 homes with major damage, 16 homes with minor damage and an additional 9 homes affected. Eight people were transported by EMS to area hospitals, although additional minor injuries likely occurred. Maximum winds in Pearl River County were estimated around 140 mph. This tornado continued to track northeast across several more counties in south Mississippi for a total path length of 61 miles. Event times were based on radar and eyewitness accounts.

Tornado in AMITE, MISSISSIPPI
From 25-DEC-12 14:33:00 to 25-DEC-12 14:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARIEL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado first touched down south of Highway 24, just east of the intersection of Highway 33 and Highway 24 on the south side of Centreville. Initially, numerous soft wood trees and a few hard woods were snapped and uprooted, and a few power poles lost their crossmembers. The tornado quickly moved to the east-northeast across Highway 24 uprooting another 6 to 10 trees, one of which clipped a house, bringing down much of the east facing wall. The tornado was 170-200 yards wide at this point and continued into the town of Centreville. A tire service station lost most of its canopy with the columns still standing, and the Centreville Head Start lost its metal awning.
The tornado crossed Fort Street with many more trees coming down, one on top of a car. Also along Fort Street, a single-wide mobile home lost most of its exterior walls. On East Howard Street, another tree fell into a house, pinning and injuring a lady. The tornado continued to the east-northeast, leading to another area of significant tree damage, uprooting and snapping numerous hard woods. A residence had minor structural damage leading to the carport partially collapsing. The tornado moved along Highway 48 for about another mile causing light tree damage before lifting. Times were based on radar and eyewitness reports. Maximum wind speed was estimated at 105 mph.