A warm front lifted north of the area and warm, moist, and unstable air flowed into the Mid-South during the morning hours of February 16, 2023.  A strong upper-level jet streak across the Great Lakes produced ascent across the Mid-South resulting in showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and flash flooding across West Tennessee. Later in the day as the cold front approached, thunderstorms intensified and produced a few tornadoes across northeast Mississippi.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 16-FEB-23 12:47:00 to 16-FEB-23 12:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAMAR
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several trees and large branches were knocked down near the Highway 72 and Curtis Road intersection.

Tornado in MONROE, MISSISSIPPI
From 16-FEB-23 15:52:00 to 16-FEB-23 15:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITHVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Tree damage was noted across the wooded area between the Tombigbee River and the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway west of Smithville. A swath of trees, approximately 100 yards wide, was uprooted or snapped just north of the end of Durrett Landing Road. The tornado began to weaken and occlude as it crossed Blue Water Creek, resulting in sporadic uprooted trees. Maximum winds were estimated at 90 mph with a maximum path width of 100 yards. Survey information aided by PERiLS drone surveillance.

Thunderstorm Wind in ITAWAMBA, MISSISSIPPI
From 16-FEB-23 16:00:00 to 16-FEB-23 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITE SPGS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were knocked down along Highway 25 South near the Itawamba/Monroe county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONROE, MISSISSIPPI
From 16-FEB-23 15:51:00 to 16-FEB-23 15:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITHVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The rear flank downdraft of a tornadic supercell caused a swath of tree damage just southeast of the tornado track near Smithville.

Tornado in TIPPAH, MISSISSIPPI
From 16-FEB-23 13:33:00 to 16-FEB-23 13:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIPLEY ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The first damage was observed to an area of trees east of Gravestown and just south of Highway 4 West. The tornado quickly intensified and increased in size as it moved east-northeast, approaching the highway. Two high-tension electrical transmission
towers were buckled by the tornado with a third suffering lesser damage. At least 6 wood utility poles were downed along Highway 4 West with significant damage occurring to a grove of hardwood trees. The tornado caused damage to several homes in the Stubbs Hill area west of Ripley. Numerous trees were damaged and roof damage was observed to most of these homes. One home did suffer more significant structural damage when the garage door failed and the resulting wind load caused the ceiling to collapse. Further tree damage was observed as the tornado moved northeast near the intersection of County Road 422 and County Road 427 with minor damage to a couple of mobile homes. Damage was more intermittent as the storm moved across northwest Ripley, but became more widespread as the tornado crossed Highway 15, damaging a gas station and a small retail store. Additional tree damage and sporadic damage to homes were observed northeast of Ripley as the tornado moved across Pocahontas Road and County Road 549, where one injury was reported. Farther northeast along County Road 500, a few utility poles were downed. The last damage to trees was found along County Road 500 near the intersection with County Road 200. This tornado had a path length of 11.1 miles with a maximum path width of 500 yards. Maximum estimated winds were around 125 mph.