A strong storm system moved through the region during the day on the 23rd. Storms developed across the ArkLaMiss and brought damaging winds and hail, which produced some damage across the central portions of Mississippi. As the storms neared the Mississippi and Alabama border, two tornadoes developed in Lowndes County. One of these tornadoes was rated an EF3 and tore across the city of Columbus, producing major damage.

Flash Flood in BOLIVAR, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 00:54:00 to 23-FEB-19 03:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLEVELAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Streets were flooded across the county.

Hail in RANKIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 15:55:00 to 23-FEB-19 15:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAND HILL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Nickel to quarter sized hail fell at the Dollar General Store at the intersection of Highway 25 and Pisgah Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 16:30:00 to 23-FEB-19 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIGSPRINGS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A couple of trees were blown down on Hopewell Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in OKTIBBEHA, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 16:13:00 to 23-FEB-19 16:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: MABEN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down on Maben-Bell Schoolhouse Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEAKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 16:45:00 to 23-FEB-19 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSEBUD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were blown down along Highway 488 and Gunter Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in OKTIBBEHA, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 16:53:00 to 23-FEB-19 16:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: STARKVL OKTIBBEHA AR
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down on Watson Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in NOXUBEE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 17:20:00 to 23-FEB-19 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALYX
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in YAZOO, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 14:26:00 to 23-FEB-19 14:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENTONIA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were blown down just north of Bentonia.

Thunderstorm Wind in YAZOO, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 15:10:00 to 23-FEB-19 15:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: SATARTIA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees and large limbs were blown down in the Satartia area.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 14:48:00 to 23-FEB-19 14:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: REDWOOD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were blown down near the Highways 3 and 61 intersection near Redwood.

Hail in ATTALA, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 15:43:00 to 23-FEB-19 15:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: ETHEL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A motorist observed quarter sized hail while driving along Highway 12 near the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Thunderstorm Wind in ATTALA, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 15:23:00 to 23-FEB-19 15:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWPORT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A tree was blown down near the intersection of Highways 429 and 14.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAIBORNE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 15:36:00 to 23-FEB-19 15:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: GORDON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree was blown down a few miles southeast Port Gibson.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEAKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 16:03:00 to 23-FEB-19 16:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADDEN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Two trees were blown down on Laurel Hill Road.

Tornado in LOWNDES, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 16:53:00 to 23-FEB-19 16:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARTESIA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A brief EF0 tornado developed during the evening of Feb. 23rd along Shlater Road west of US 45, where it uprooted and snapped several softwood trees. It quickly moved northeast and crossed US 45 where it snapped softwood trees along the both sides of US 45, and caused roof loss to a mobile home and tin shed along the west side of US 45. In addition, the tin from the storage shed was lofted to the east side of US 45. Additional snapped softwood trees occurred just east of US 45 before the tornado finally lifted. Maximum estimated winds were 85 mph.

Flash Flood in WASHINGTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 00:54:00 to 23-FEB-19 03:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREENVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Around 30 county roads were flooded.

Tornado in LOWNDES, MISSISSIPPI
From 23-FEB-19 17:14:00 to 23-FEB-19 17:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLUMBUS
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado developed along the southwest edge of Columbus, MS near 1st Street, noted by broken small hardwood tree limbs and uprooted hardwood trees, which fell a top of a Voting Precinct single-story home. Minor roof damage to a nearby two story home also occurred.  As the tornado tracked northeast across the eastern side of downtown Columbus, MS, it became evident that the storm had grown in strength a bit as streets became littered with uprooted and snapped hardwood and softwood trees, many of which had fallen on homes, causing significant roof damage. As the tornado moved along 9th street and College Street, damage was noted on top of a cell tower, where portions of the metal structure was evidently bent. By the time the tornado reached 12th Street and 4th Avenue, more extensive damage was noted by way of a brick fence along a single family home getting almost completely destroyed and additional snapped and uprooted hardwood trees.  Wooden power lines were snapped near or at its base at 12th Street and 4th Avenue, where portions of the roof was loss at the nearby Canterbury Townhouses. Littered downed and snapped trees falling on top of homes persisted along the northeast side of downtown Columbus, and southward facing homes along Railroad Street had windows that were blown out. As the tornado continued along its northeast path, it intersected the Hunt Intermediate School along 10th Avenue and 20th Street resulting in significant damage to the roof, and blown out windows along the second floor. Across the street, the Park and Rec Center and Activities Center composed of metal and tin were blown in/collapsed on its entry side. Damage continued along Tuscaloosa Road by way of fence damage along the outskirts of a Loves Truck Stop and snapped softwood and hardwood trees behind the Loves Truck Stop.  The First Pentecostal Church along Tuscaloosa Road had half of its tin roof blown off, and thus resulted in damage done to the inside of its worship area. At the intersection of Tuscaloosa Road and Conway Road, several manufactured buildings had most of its exterior walls and roofs caved in. The one fatality occurred at the intersection of Tuscaloosa Road and Gardner Street, where a structural sound brick building collapsed and the majority of the exterior walls were destroyed.  This tornado began to weaken as it neared the Alabama state line, as several softwood medium size tree limbs and snapped softwood trees occurred north of Highway 50. This tornado lifted just as it crossed state lines into Alabama. Maximum estimated winds were 137 mph.