Strong surface low pressure tracked from the Plains into the Mississippi River Valley while a strong cold front pushed into the Mid-South on December 23, 2015. A very moist and unstable airmass moved into the area as a warm front lifted north through the region during the early morning hours. A potent upper level disturbance help to trigger thunderstorms along and in advance of the approaching cold front. The necessary ingredients were in place for storm to rapidly intensify. Three tornadoes touched down across North Mississippi including an EF-4 that caused severe damage.

Tornado in COAHOMA, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-15 15:01:00 to 23-DEC-15 15:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: AFRICA
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 600.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado developed over Northern Bolivar County and moved into Coahoma County. It strengthened and produced EF-3 damage south and east of Clarksdale where the two fatalities occurred. Twelve homes and two businesses were destroyed. Two homes also suffered minor damage. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado continued into Quitman County.

Tornado in QUITMAN, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-15 15:17:00 to 23-DEC-15 15:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: SABINO
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 734.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado moved from Coahoma County into Quitman County and temporarily weakened. The tornado damaged nearly 20 homes to the west and southwest of Marks. The tornado then tracked into Panola County.

Tornado in PANOLA, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-15 15:35:00 to 23-DEC-15 15:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: CURTIS STATION
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado moved from Quitman County into Panola County. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. As the tornado approached Interstate 55 the tornado damaged several homes. This is where the tornado reached peak intensity with winds estimated at 160 mph. The tornado crossed Interstate 55 between Sardis and Como and then dissipated east of Como. A total of 29 homes were affected in Panola. Eight homes were either destroyed or suffered major damage.

Tornado in TATE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-15 16:10:00 to 23-DEC-15 16:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: TYRO
Tornado F-scale: EF4
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado developed over Southeast Tate County. The tornado caused minor roof damage to a house in Tyro before moving into Marshall County.

Tornado in BENTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-15 16:37:00 to 23-DEC-15 16:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHLAND
Tornado F-scale: EF4
Property damage: 1.96M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado crossed from Marshall County into Benton County near Highway 4 west of Ashland. The tornado appeared to strengthen as it entered Benton County. Several houses west-northwest of Ashland has damage approaching EF-4 with EF-4 damage observed in Northeast Benton County. Six fatalities occurred in Benton County. Eighty-five structures were affected in Benton County. Seventeen homes and fifteen mobile homes were destroyed. Fifteen homes and three mobile homes suffered major damage. Twenty homes and seven mobile homes had minor damage. Many acres of timber were also damaged or destroyed. The tornado then continued into Tippah County.

Tornado in MARSHALL, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-15 16:12:00 to 23-DEC-15 16:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHULAHOMA
Tornado F-scale: EF4
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado tracked into Marshall County from Tate County. As it moved into Marshall County the tornado heavily damaged several homes along Highway 4. The tornado produced damage to a church and surrounding trees southwest of Holly Springs that approached EF-4. The tornado moved across the southeastern edge of Holly Springs causing EF-2 to EF-3 damage. Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped. About 200 homes were damaged in Marshall County. Two fatalities occurred in Marshall County along with at least 30 injuries. The tornado then tracked into Benton County.

Tornado in TIPPAH, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-15 16:56:00 to 23-DEC-15 17:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: TIPLERSVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF4
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado crossed from Benton County Mississippi into Tippah County. The tornado moved across far northwestern Tippah County damaging several homes in the Three Forks Community. One fatality occurred in Tippah County. Over 100 houses were affected and about 45 homes were destroyed. The tornado then crossed the Tennessee state line into Hardeman County.

Tornado in PRENTISS, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-DEC-15 18:16:00 to 23-DEC-15 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLACKLAND
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado occurred in Western Prentiss County. The tornado damaged several mobile homes and uprooted trees. One home slid off its foundation.