During the afternoon of Dec 23, just enough ingredients came together to support numerous severe storms ahead of a cold front. Across the Lower Mississippi River Valley, peak heating contributed to decent instability in the developing warm sector in advance of the front. Sufficient low level wind shear and strong winds aloft were also in place as a decent upper low was located to our north. This helped to support organized thunderstorm activity along with quite a few supercell storms.
A long lived, persistent, storm tracked across the southeastern counties (near Columbia, Mississippi to Sumrall and Laurel to Heidelberg, Mississippi line) and produced multiple tornadoes. Widespread damage occurred in southern Columbia and near Laurel. Additional damage occurred across Marion, Jones and Clarke counties. Sadly, five confirmed fatalities occurred, with three near Columbia in Marion County and two near Laurel in Jones County. Severe storms moved out of the region by late afternoon to early Tuesday evening. The front continued to track through the area through the evening of December 23.

Hail in JONES, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 05:05:00 to 23-DEC-14 05:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: GITANO
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter sized hail fell along Bernis Hill Road.

Tornado in MARION, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 14:20:00 to 23-DEC-14 14:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLUMBIA
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 25.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado first touched down just east of the Pearl River just south of Columbia. It quickly became strong and moved northeast impacting the southeast side of Columbia. The tornado remained on the ground through Marion County before lifting as it approached the Lamar County line. Numerous businesses, homes, mobile homes, a National Guard building and power poles and lines were heavily damaged or destroyed by the tornado. One well-built home was mostly destroyed and nearly reduced to a slab. This home received the highest damage rating. Extensive tree damage also occurred along the path of the storm. Maximum wind speed of this tornado was 165mph.

Hail in LAUDERDALE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 11:45:00 to 23-DEC-14 11:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUQUALENA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in FRANKLIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 07:20:00 to 23-DEC-14 07:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUDE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Hail in LINCOLN, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 07:41:00 to 23-DEC-14 07:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASEYVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter sized hail fell along MS Highway 550.

Tornado in JONES, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 15:22:00 to 23-DEC-14 15:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: SERVICE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 2.20M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado started along Maxey Rd and tracked northeast for a little over 5 miles. Initially the damage was light with only a tree or two snapped and large limbs broken. As the tornado crossed State Highway 28, the width of the tornado increased as well as the intensity. Here, several large pine trees were uprooted and snapped along with a few portions of wooden fence torn down. Along Gardner Rd, more trees were damaged along with some minor roof damage to some homes. A large barn had most of the roof removed with the tin scattered along the path. Similar tree damage occurred as the tornado crossed Hines Rd, Tim Holifield Rd and Service Rd. The tornado reached peak intensity as it crossed Mullican Rd. Here three homes sustained moderate roof damage with dozens of trees snapped/uprooted. A mobile home at this location was totally destroyed and unrecognizable with the undercarriage thrown a considerable distance. Two fatalities occurred in the mobile home. Next to the mobile home was a small wood frame home on a slab. This structure was removed off the foundation. A large wooden storage shed was totally destroyed as well at this location. Peak winds here were at 125 mph. From this point, the tornado narrowed and weakened as it moved northeast and tracked across Bush Dairy Rd and then State Highway 15 where it eventually lifted.

Hail in NESHOBA, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 10:17:00 to 23-DEC-14 10:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARLINGTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in LINCOLN, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 10:36:00 to 23-DEC-14 10:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASEYVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

This was the second time that hail fell at this location on this morning.

Thunderstorm Wind in JONES, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 15:05:00 to 23-DEC-14 15:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAWANTA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees were snapped and uprooted.

Hail in LAWRENCE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 11:05:00 to 23-DEC-14 11:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROBINWOOD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Thunderstorm Wind in JONES, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 15:45:00 to 23-DEC-14 15:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: LANHAM
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.20K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Large tree limbs and branches were blown down.

Hail in WINSTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 10:39:00 to 23-DEC-14 10:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOUISVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Thunderstorm Wind in CLARKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 16:13:00 to 23-DEC-14 16:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: JUNCTION CITY
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down near the Carmichael Community.

Hail in SIMPSON, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 12:53:00 to 23-DEC-14 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: POKAL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Unknown

Swath of quarter size hail fell across portions of south central Simpson County.

Hail in JEFFERSON DAVIS, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 11:25:00 to 23-DEC-14 11:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRENTISS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in LAUDERDALE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 11:39:00 to 23-DEC-14 11:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAHAM
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Dime to quarter sized hail fell in the western portion of the county, around Meehan.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLARKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 16:23:00 to 23-DEC-14 16:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: SNELL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down on County Road 420 north of Mississippi Highway 18.

Hail in LINCOLN, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 12:15:00 to 23-DEC-14 12:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: THAYER
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of hail fell just north of Bogue Chitto to the Lincoln/Lawrence county line. Hail sizes ranged from quarter to golfball size.

Hail in MARION, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 14:05:00 to 23-DEC-14 14:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: KOKOMO
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in LAWRENCE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 12:33:00 to 23-DEC-14 12:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: SONTAG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Swatch of quarter size hail fell across portions of northern Lawrence County.

Thunderstorm Wind in WINSTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 10:52:00 to 23-DEC-14 10:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was knocked down across Enon Road. Dimed sized hail also fell in the Yellow Creek Community east of Louisville.

Tornado in LAMAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 14:45:00 to 23-DEC-14 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUMRALL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 2.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado briefly touched down in Sumrall. The tin roof of a daycare center and several large limbs were knocked down from this brief tornado touchdown. The estimated wind speed was 70 mph.

Tornado in LAMAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 14:46:00 to 23-DEC-14 14:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUMRALL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 23.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado briefly touched down in a subdivision north of Sumrall. Twelve homes received minor roof damage, several fences were damaged, and two trees were downed. The estimated wind speed was 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 11:08:00 to 23-DEC-14 11:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRANGE
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few trees were blown down along Highway 43.

Thunderstorm Wind in LINCOLN, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 11:35:00 to 23-DEC-14 11:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST LINCOLN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees were blown down in southern Lincoln County.

Thunderstorm Wind in KEMPER, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 12:10:00 to 23-DEC-14 12:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: DE KALB
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Large tree limbs and branches were blown down.

Tornado in CLARKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 16:27:00 to 23-DEC-14 16:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: CREEK
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado started along County Road 658 and traveled northeast. It crossed Pine Ridge Road and ended about one quarter mile into the woods. The skirting of a mobile home was blown out along with a few large pine branches and large tree tops were broken off. The estimated wind speed was 75mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 12:50:00 to 23-DEC-14 12:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: NATCHEZ
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down on a house on Ivy Lane.

Hail in MARION, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 14:13:00 to 23-DEC-14 14:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOXWORTH
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in JASPER, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 15:42:00 to 23-DEC-14 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEIDELBERG
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees were snapped and uprooted around Heidelberg. Trees were blown down onto County Road 377 just south of Heidelberg.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUDERDALE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 16:00:00 to 23-DEC-14 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MERIDIAN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A power line was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLARKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 15:59:00 to 23-DEC-14 15:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOODWATER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down on County Road 230 near the Clarke/Wayne county line.

Hail in KEMPER, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-14 12:10:00 to 23-DEC-14 12:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: DE KALB
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Dime to quarter sized hail covered the ground in Dekalb.