Two rounds of severe weather impacted the ArkLaMiss region - one beginning shortly after midnight on the morning of January 21st and ending shortly before daybreak. The round of storms began during the evening hours on the 21st and ended just before midnight. During the early morning event, areas south of I-20 in Mississippi were impacted. Most notably, an EF-3 tornado tracked through Lamar and Forrest counties, killing four people in Hattiesburg and injuring over 50 others. In addition, damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding occurred in other areas across south Mississippi. The evening event impacted a larger proportion of the ArkLaMiss, and brought wind damage as well as large hail and a strong tornado.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 21:30:00 to 21-JAN-17 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOREST
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Powerlines were blown down along Highway 21 North.

Hail in SIMPSON, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 21:35:00 to 21-JAN-17 21:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRAXTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in COPIAH, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 21:38:00 to 21-JAN-17 21:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESSON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter size hail fell in Wesson and Beauregard.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 22:17:00 to 21-JAN-17 22:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUNN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Multiple trees were blown down along Highway 18 between Raleigh and White Oak.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUDERDALE, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 22:38:00 to 21-JAN-17 22:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: LIZELIA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down along Sunshine Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLARKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 23:14:00 to 21-JAN-17 23:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENTERPRISE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down along I-59 and County Road 333 just west of Enterprise.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUDERDALE, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 23:27:00 to 21-JAN-17 23:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOOMSUBA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down along KOA Road. Trees and powerlines were also blown down along Greenhill Loop Road.

Hail in FRANKLIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 00:30:00 to 21-JAN-17 00:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: GARDEN CITY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of pea to golfball size hail fell in the southwestern part of the county. Golfball sized hail fell near the White Apple community.

Hail in LINCOLN, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 01:19:00 to 21-JAN-17 01:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASEYVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Pea to quarter sized hail fell in the northwestern part of the county.

Hail in RANKIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 02:19:00 to 21-JAN-17 02:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLORENCE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Dime to quarter sized hail fell in Florence.

Hail in JEFFERSON DAVIS, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 02:47:00 to 21-JAN-17 02:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: BASSFIELD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in MARION, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 03:10:00 to 21-JAN-17 03:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: TWIN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down on Highway 43.

Thunderstorm Wind in COVINGTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 03:14:00 to 21-JAN-17 03:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: GANDSI
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Numerous trees were blown down along Highway 49.

Thunderstorm Wind in JONES, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 03:51:00 to 21-JAN-17 03:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: TUCKERS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down along Glade Dummy Line Road.

Hail in LAMAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 03:35:00 to 21-JAN-17 03:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: OAK GROVE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Ping pong ball sized hail fell in the Oak Grove community as well as golfball sized hail just to the west of West Hattiesburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON DAVIS, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 03:45:00 to 21-JAN-17 03:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARSON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees were blown down near Ross-McPhail Road.

Hail in MARION, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 03:51:00 to 21-JAN-17 03:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINEBUR
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Swath of golfball sized hail fell in the eastern edge of the county.

Hail in LAMAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 03:55:00 to 21-JAN-17 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: TATUMS CAMPS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in JONES, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 04:25:00 to 21-JAN-17 04:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: (PIB)PINE BELT RGNL
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Numerous trees were blown down onto Highway 59.

Flash Flood in MARION, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 05:00:00 to 21-JAN-17 08:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUB
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Old River Road South was flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUDERDALE, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 05:00:00 to 21-JAN-17 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAVOY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down along Meehan Savoy Road just west of Highway 11.

Flash Flood in JONES, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 04:55:00 to 21-JAN-17 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALTERS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flooding occurred along Pruitt Road near Burnt Bridge Road and Tallahala Creek.

Hail in FORREST, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 19:54:00 to 21-JAN-17 19:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCK HILL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter size hail fell on Pistol Ridge Road.

Hail in WARREN, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 20:18:00 to 21-JAN-17 20:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: STOUT
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Quarter sized hail occurred near Vicksburg, including half dollar size hail near the Vicksburg mall.

Hail in RANKIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 20:28:00 to 21-JAN-17 20:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROOK HILL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail up to the size of quarters fell in the Robinhood community.

Hail in RANKIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 20:43:00 to 21-JAN-17 20:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: LUCKNEY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in JEFFERSON, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 20:48:00 to 21-JAN-17 20:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHURCH HILL
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail fell in southwest Jefferson County, including golfball size hail around the Church Hill area.

Hail in HINDS, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 20:36:00 to 21-JAN-17 20:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOUGALOO
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Nickel sized hail fell near the Academy Sports on County Line Road.

Hail in MADISON, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 20:53:00 to 21-JAN-17 20:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICHTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail to the size of quarters fell just south of Lake Caroline.

Hail in RANKIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 20:55:00 to 21-JAN-17 20:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLARKSBURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Nickel to quarter size hail fell between Pelahatchie and the Rankin/Scott county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 21:07:00 to 21-JAN-17 21:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: INDEPENDENCE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A tree was blown down across Springfield Road near the intersection of Highway 13 South.

Hail in LAMAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 21:10:00 to 21-JAN-17 21:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: PURVIS
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in FORREST, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 21:15:00 to 21-JAN-17 21:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC LAURIN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in SCOTT, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 21:08:00 to 21-JAN-17 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of hail fell, including quarter size hail in Morton and golfball size hail near the intersection of Highway 35 and Old Jackson Road in the Hillsboro community.

Thunderstorm Wind in COVINGTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 03:14:00 to 21-JAN-17 03:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEMINARY
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple trees were blown down across the county. These included: a trees down across Highway 49 about 1.5 miles south of the Highway 590 intersection; trees were down on Cold Springs Road, Kelly Creek Road, Evergreen Church Road near Ray Harvey Road, and Three Notch Road near Wilson Road and Williams Road.

Tornado in LAMAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 03:35:00 to 21-JAN-17 03:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: PURVIS
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 700.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado began along Purvis-Oloh Road, about 5 miles west northwest of Purvis. It tracked northeast across portions of Lamar County causing mainly tree damage, uprooting and snapping softwood and hardwood trees. It caused some minor to moderate structural damage as well. The tornado crossed Old Highway 11, continuing to cause mainly tree damage, although at least a few structures were also damaged. The tornado began to gain strength as it reached Slade Road, where some homes received roof damage. As the tornado crossed Sullivan Kilrain Road, additional homes received significant roof and structural damage, especially on Carter Circle and Tatum Camp Road. Comprehensive assessments from Lamar County emergency management officials count 26 homes in the county being destroyed or with major damage and 52 homes receiving minor damage. The tornado continued to gain strength as it crossed into Forrest County. There it struck a subdivision along Nellwood Drive, Lakeland Drive and Crestwood Drive and caused significant damage to many homes. Several homes received significant roof and structural damage. One home sustained significant damage and also was the site of one of the fatalities. As the tornado continued to track northeast, it caused extensive tree damage and powerline damage. It struck a church along Helveston Road, which suffered damage to the top floor. As the tornado approached William Cary College, it intensified to EF3 strength, causing damage to numerous buildings on campus. The tornado then affected a mobile home park, where it downed trees and caused damage to mobile homes. Here, two more fatalities occurred. It then caused structural damage to several homes, churches and businesses on James Street and Alcorn Road. Another
fatality occurred on Alcorn Road, when a tree fell on a home. The tornado continued to track northeast, crossing the Leaf River and headed into Petal. Here the tornado got very wide and continued to cause EF2 type damage to businesses along Main Street and into the neighborhoods on the southern side of the city. Extensive tree
damage occurred and countless homes had minor to major roof damage in the neighborhood south of Hillcrest Loop. As the tornado reached Sun Circle, it intensified to EF3 strength again and caused significant damage to a few homes as well as moderate damage to many homes in the neighborhood. Beyond the subdivision along Sun Circle, the tornado caused tree damage again before reaching Evelyn Gandy
Parkway. It caused structural damage to an AT&T store by lifting the roof of the strip mall. It caused additional roof damage to several homes and a church along the Parkway as well as along Springridge Road and Corinth Road. As the tornado tore across Shawnee Trail, it caused impressive tree damage, which included snapping and uprooting hardwood and softwood trees. As the tornado tracked just south of
HDR Lane, it took down two metal electrical transmission lines. The tornado then destroyed a house along Macedonia Road, as well as causing additional roof to other homes and taking down numerous trees. Additional impressive tree damage occurred along Old Richton Road and Tyroby Lane. The tornado continued to down trees as it
tracked across Old Richton Road into Perry County. Comprehensive assessments from Forrest County emergency management officials count 499 homes in the county being destroyed or with major damage and 632 homes receiving minor damage.
The tornado path length in just Lamar and Forrest counties was 24.2 miles, although the entire path of the tornado in total was 31.3 miles. Along the entire tornado path the total number of homes destroyed or receiving major damage is estimated to be 531 with the number of homes having minor damage estimated at 689. Maximum estimated winds were 145 mph. The maximum path width was 900 yards, which occurred in the Petal area of Forrest County. This tornado affected a large number of forested areas. Approximately 1570 forested acres were damaged, with 1453 acres being privately owned. In total, 4320 acres were damaged from this tornado. The total economic impact was $410,784 in Lamar, Forrest and Perry counties. 777 total acres were damaged in Lamar County, and 400 in Forrest.

Tornado in FORREST, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 03:47:00 to 21-JAN-17 04:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: BONHOMIE
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 9.00M
Crop damage: 49.50K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado began along Purvis-Oloh Road, about 5 miles west northwest of Purvis. It tracked northeast across portions of Lamar County causing mainly tree damage, uprooting and snapping softwood and hardwood trees. It caused some minor to moderate structural damage as well. The tornado crossed Old Highway 11, continuing to cause mainly tree damage, although at least a few structures were also damaged. The tornado began to gain strength as it reached Slade Road, where some homes received roof damage. As the tornado crossed Sullivan Kilrain Road, additional homes received significant roof and structural damage, especially on Carter Circle and Tatum Camp Road. Comprehensive assessments from Lamar County emergency management officials count 26 homes in the county being destroyed or with major damage and 52 homes receiving minor damage. The tornado continued to gain strength as it crossed into Forrest County. There it struck a subdivision along Nellwood Drive, Lakeland Drive and Crestwood Drive and caused significant damage to many homes. Several homes received significant roof and structural damage. One home sustained significant damage and also was the site of one of the fatalities. As the tornado continued to track northeast, it caused extensive tree damage and powerline damage. It struck a church along Helveston Road, which suffered damage to the top floor. As the tornado approached William Carey College, it intensified to EF3 strength, causing damage to numerous buildings on campus. The tornado then affected a mobile home park, downing trees and causing damage to mobile homes. Here, two more fatalities occurred. It then caused structural damage to several homes, churches and businesses on James Street and Alcorn Road. Another fatality occurred on Alcorn Road, when a tree fell on a home. The tornado continued to track northeast, crossing the Leaf River and headed into Petal. Here the tornado got very wide and continued to cause EF2 type damage to businesses along Main Street and into the neighborhoods on the southern side of the city. Extensive tree damage occurred and countless homes had minor to major roof damage in the neighborhood south of Hillcrest Loop. As the tornado reached Sun Circle, it intensified to EF3 strength again and caused significant damage to a few homes as well as moderate damage to many homes in the neighborhood. Beyond the subdivision along Sun Circle, the tornado caused tree damage again before reaching Evelyn Gandy
Parkway. It caused structural damage to an AT&T store by lifting the roof of the strip mall. It caused additional roof damage to several homes and a church along the Parkway as well as along Springridge Road and Corinth Road. As the tornado tore across Shawnee Trail, it caused impressive tree damage, which included snapping and uprooting hardwood and softwood trees. As the tornado tracked just south of
HDR Lane, it took down two metal electrical transmission lines. The tornado then destroyed a house along Macedonia Road, as well as causing additional roof to other homes and taking down numerous trees. Additional impressive tree damage occurred along Old Richton Road and Tyroby Lane. The tornado continued to down trees as it
tracked across Old Richton Road into Perry County. Comprehensive assessments from Forrest County emergency management officials count 499 homes in the county being destroyed or with major damage and 632 homes receiving minor damage.
The tornado path length in just Lamar and Forrest counties was 24.2 miles, although the entire path of the tornado in total was 31.3 miles. Along the entire tornado path the total number of homes destroyed or receiving major damage is estimated to be 531 with the number of homes having minor damage estimated at 689. Maximum estimated winds were 145 mph. The maximum path width was 900 yards, which occurred in the Petal area of Forrest County. This tornado affected a large number of forested areas. Approximately 1570 forested acres were damaged, with 1453 acres being privately owned. In total, 4320 acres were damaged from this tornado. The total economic impact was $410,784 in Lamar, Forrest and Perry counties. 777 total acres were damaged in Lamar County, and 400 in Forrest.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLARKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 04:49:00 to 21-JAN-17 04:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENTERPRISE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down on Interstate 59 at mile marker 134. A large oak tree was also blown down on Highway 513 near Enterprise Elementary School.

Flash Flood in FORREST, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 05:12:00 to 21-JAN-17 08:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HATTIESBURG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Multiple portions of the University of Southern Mississippi campus were flooded.

Tornado in LAUDERDALE, MISSISSIPPI
From 21-JAN-17 22:44:00 to 21-JAN-17 22:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOPTON
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 175.00K
Crop damage: 200.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down in a wooded area near Russell Topton Road, snapping trees and powerlines and causing minor roof damage as it crossed the road. The tornado continued northeast onto Lockhart Trailer Court Road and Chip Pickering Drive, where many trees were downed and some structural damage occurred to mobile homes. Here on Lockhart Trailer Court Road, a mobile home was rolled and destroyed, with one minor injury as the resident was thrown out. The tornado
continued northeast before crossing Fred Clayton Road and Campground Road. Here the tornado began to widen and more intense damage occurred. Some minor roof damage occurred to a church and numerous trees were snapped, with some causing damage to some structures. As it traveled roughly along Campground Road and the railroad tracks, the tornado became quite large, around a quarter of a mile wide or
so. Here significant tree damage, EF2 with winds near 115mph, occurred as nearly every tree were snapped and uprooted. The tornado continued northeast until crossing Green Loop Road. The tornado also was at its strongest at Green Loop as many mobile homes were rolled, with around 4 destroyed. One mobile home was thrown with the undercarriage wrapped around a tree. Here the most intense damage
occurred, with winds near 120mph winds. Around 10-11 people were thrown out of mobile homes but thankfully no injuries. The tornado continued before crossing Beaver Pond Road, snapping and uprooting trees. It then continued northeast across a wooded area near Ponta Creek before beginning to weaken and become smaller. It crossed Old Lauderdale Lizelia Road, Highway 45 and then Old Highway 45N,
snapping and uprooting trees before lifting northeast in a wooded area. The maximum estimated winds were 120mph.