March 2012 came in like a lion as a large severe weather and tornado outbreak occurred on March 2nd. This outbreak covered a large amount of real estate across the Ohio, Tennessee, and Lower Mississippi River Valleys. This event was driven by a powerful storm system which clashed with unusual instability and wind shear for this time of year.
Across the NWS Jackson, MS service area, quite a bit of severe weather occurred during the afternoon and evening of March 2nd. Most of the severe storms occurred across areas north of I-20. Large hail was the primary main severe weather culprit as several supercell storms produced golf ball sized hail. There were also a few instances of larger hail, up to the size of baseballs. Other instances of wind damage also occurred from these storms along with two tornadoes.

Hail in HUMPHREYS, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 17:30:00 to 02-MAR-12 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELZONI
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A car had its windshield busted out due to the hail.

Tornado in FORREST, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 18:42:00 to 02-MAR-12 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BONHOMIE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado initially touched down along Beach Road, where it overturned two trailers, took part of the roof off a home, destroyed a shed and caused some tree damage. From there the tornado weakened and seemed to skip along for several miles as it crossed Boggy Hollow Road and Coaltown Road. The tornado strengthened again as it crossed Purvis to Columbia Road. There the tornado caused damage to the roof and siding of a home and snapped several trees. The tornado them weakened again as it moved through the northwest sections of Purvis with only sporadic tree damage. The tornado strengthened again as it crossed Highway 11 and Sherlock Herrington Road. There numerous trees were snapped, the roof and siding of a home were damaged, a large storage shed was heavily damaged, and 3 mobile home sustained heavy damage. The tornado then reached its peak intensity as it crossed Harold Tucker Road. A strapped down mobile home was blown off its foundation and heavily damaged, two other mobile homes were damaged, and a single family home had part of the roof blown off. Numerous trees were snapped at this location as well. This location had both the maximum winds associated with this tornado of 100 mph and the maximum width of 300 yards.
The tornado then crossed White Chapel Road causing extensive tree damage. It then moved into Forrest County and crossed over Interstate 59 knocking over several trees at a rest stop. The tornado then crossed Browns Bridge Road and Frye Road snapping numerous trees, one of which fell on a house. The tornado lifted shortly after crossing Frye Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in HINDS, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 20:35:00 to 02-MAR-12 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD
Magnitude: 47.00 MG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Measured at Hawkins Field in downtown Jackson.

Flash Flood in JASPER, MISSISSIPPI
From 03-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 03-MAR-12 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAY SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A road in Bay Springs was under water.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOWNDES, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 13:44:00 to 02-MAR-12 13:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARTESIA
Magnitude: 58.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A mobile home was destroyed at 7585 Highway 45 South Alternate.

Hail in OKTIBBEHA, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 19:34:00 to 02-MAR-12 19:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: STARKVILLE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Golf ball size hail fell all across the city of Starkville.

Tornado in JEFFERSON DAVIS, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 23:47:00 to 02-MAR-12 23:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: TERRELL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado began near the intersection of Mt. Carmel Road and East Granby Road, where a few large limbs were downed. The tornado continued east northeast, where it destroyed a mobile home's porch and also knocked another mobile home off of its piers. The tornado ended just past this location, where it snapped and uprooted a few hardwood and softwood trees. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 85 miles per hour.

Tornado in LAMAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 18:23:00 to 02-MAR-12 18:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAXTERVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado initially touched down along Beach Road, where it overturned two trailers, took part of the roof off a home, destroyed a shed and caused some tree damage. From there the tornado weakened and seemed to skip along for several miles as it crossed Boggy Hollow Road and Coaltown Road. The tornado strengthened again as it crossed Purvis to Columbia Road. There the tornado caused damage to the roof and siding of a home and snapped several trees. The tornado them weakened again as it moved through the northwest sections of Purvis with only sporadic tree damage. The tornado strengthened again as it crossed Highway 11 and Sherlock Herrington Road. There numerous trees were snapped, the roof and siding of a home were damaged, a large storage shed was heavily damaged, and 3 mobile homes sustained heavy damage. The tornado then reached its peak intensity as it crossed Harold Tucker Road. A strapped down mobile home was blown off its foundation and heavily damaged, two other mobile homes were damaged, and a single family home had part of the roof blown off. Numerous trees were snapped at this location as well. This location had both the maximum winds associated with this tornado of 100 mph and the maximum width of 300 yards.
The tornado then crossed White Chapel Road causing extensive tree damage. It then moved into Forrest County and crossed over Interstate 59 knocking over several trees at a rest stop. The tornado then crossed Browns Bridge Road and Frye Road snapping numerous trees, one of which fell on a house. The tornado lifted shortly after crossing Frye Road.

Hail in CARROLL, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 18:28:00 to 02-MAR-12 18:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: VAIDEN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in LAUDERDALE, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 18:38:00 to 02-MAR-12 18:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: INCREASE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Hail in WASHINGTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 14:43:00 to 02-MAR-12 14:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINTERVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 17:23:00 to 02-MAR-12 17:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANTEE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down in the Mantee and Montevista communities.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 17:25:00 to 02-MAR-12 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINEBLUFF
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

A roof was blown off of a shed.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 18:40:00 to 02-MAR-12 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: POLAR CREEK
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Storm spotters estimated 60 to 70 mph winds in Poplar Creek and Lodi. At least one tree was blown down in the area.

Hail in WEBSTER, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 17:28:00 to 02-MAR-12 17:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANTEE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm Wind in HUMPHREYS, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 17:30:00 to 02-MAR-12 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELZONI
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees were blown down around Belzoni. A tractor trailer was blown off of Highway 49 near Belzoni.

Hail in MONTGOMERY, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 17:31:00 to 02-MAR-12 17:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINONA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Hail in CHOCTAW, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 18:55:00 to 02-MAR-12 19:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRENCH CAMP
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of golf ball size hail fell across Choctaw County.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 19:00:00 to 02-MAR-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALTERSVILLE
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A tree was blown down along Washington Street in Vicksburg, causing an automobile accident. Power lines were blown down in the 4000 block of Oak Ridge Road northeast of Vicksburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOWNDES, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 15:02:00 to 02-MAR-12 15:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLUMBUS/LOWNDES CO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A couple of trees were blown down across Nashville Ferry Road and Old Yorkville Road.

Hail in LOWNDES, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 14:45:00 to 02-MAR-12 15:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRAWFORD
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A swath of tennis to baseball size hail fell across the southern half of the county.

Hail in HOLMES, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 18:08:00 to 02-MAR-12 18:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: ACONA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter size hail covered the ground.

Hail in HOLMES, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 19:33:00 to 02-MAR-12 19:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: DURANT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in LOWNDES, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 19:35:00 to 02-MAR-12 19:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: FORRESTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in LOWNDES, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 19:45:00 to 02-MAR-12 20:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAYHEW
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A swath of hail up to the size of baseballs fell across Lowndes County.

Thunderstorm Wind in SUNFLOWER, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 15:45:00 to 02-MAR-12 15:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MACKMAN
Magnitude: 57.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of wind damage downed seven power poles southeast of Indianola. Four were blown down along Highway 49 West and three along Highway 3. Several power poles and a few medium to large trees were blown down near Moorhead.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 20:40:00 to 02-MAR-12 20:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADISON
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Numerous large limbs were blown down along Rice Road. Two trees were also blown down in the North Bay subdivision, including one on a house.

Hail in LAUDERDALE, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 22:15:00 to 02-MAR-12 22:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARTIN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flash Flood in LAUDERDALE, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 23:15:00 to 03-MAR-12 00:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: NELLIEBURG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread flooding occurred across the city. Several cars were flooded due to the high water. One person was trapped in the flood waters. A business was flooded near 5th Street and 29th Street.

Hail in CARROLL, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 16:15:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARROLLTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter size hail fell along Highway 82, two miles west of Carrollton.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 16:41:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRENADA
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Power lines were blown down in Grenada.

Hail in LEFLORE, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 17:01:00 to 02-MAR-12 17:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILLIPSTOWN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter size hail fell along Highway 49 East at the Leflore and Holmes County line.

Hail in GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI
From 02-MAR-12 16:00:00 to 02-MAR-12 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: TIE PLANT
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

One to two inch hail fell just south of Grenada.