Tornado Outbreak Rakes Mississippi & Louisanna
 F3 tornado touches down in Rankin County, MIss., April 6, 2005 (Photo courtesy of Lt. David Ruth, Brandon, Miss. Police Dept.) |
(April, 6, 2005) - A line of powerful thunderstorms moved through south central Mississippi and southeast Louisiana Wednesday morning, spawning at least two dozen tornadoes. The first touchdown occurred near Brandon, Miss. (Rankin County) at 7:15 a.m. (CDT) causing extensive damage and injuries. A Tornado Warning for that area had been issued by the National Weather Service Forecast Office (WFO) in Jackson at 6:40 a.m. (preliminary warning lead time of 35 minutes). At least six people were injured, one critically, when the tornado destroyed a mobile home park. No deaths were reported.
Lt. David Ruth of the Brandon Police Department photographed the Rankin County tornado and noted the cell was trying to spawn more twisters. "I saw at least three rotations dropping out of the cloud, the one that touched down - and two others that started down and then went back up."
Following a partial survey of the Rankin County damage, WFO Jackson Meteorologist-in-Charge Alan Gerard said, "We've already seen mobile homes destroyed along the track as well as two well-constructed brick houses that were a total loss. We have a lot more to look at, but this was an F3 tornado."
While Rankin County appeared to be hardest hit, tornadoes were also reported in eight other south central Mississippi counties. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour declared a state of emergency for much of the region after receiving widespread reports of mobile home damage, roof damage, downed trees and power lines. Numerous roads were also closed due to downed trees. Southern Pine Electric Power Company and Entergy Mississippi reported in excess of 5,000 customers lost power.
Another tornado damaged walls and blew the roof off Mize High School in Smith County. But due to an early NWS warning (preliminary warning lead time of 55 minutes) and quick action - none of the 650 students and faculty in the school sustained injuries.
Jackson WFO Journeyman Forecaster Bryan Henry said the Tornado Warning for Smith County was issued at 8:32 a.m. and he received a phone call from one of the students about 20 minutes later. "I told him the tornado was heading toward the school from the southwest and they needed to take shelter immediately and follow their emergency procedures for tornadoes." By the time the tornado struck the school, administrators had moved all of the students to the building's first floor hallways.
 Brick home destroyed by F3 tornado in Rankin County, Miss., April 6, 2005 (Photo by MIC Alan Gerard) |
Another high school under construction in Brandon was also damaged, as were the construction trailers and a dozen cars. There were no reports of injuries to the 125 workers at the school. The average National Weather Service warning lead time for 14 tornadoes reported in central and southern Mississippi - was 31 minutes. Thirteen tornadoes were also reported in Louisiana with an average lead time of 14 minutes. "Once again, local office expertise coupled with National Weather Service modernization technology - has saved lives during this latest tornado outbreak," said Bill Proenza, director, National Weather Service Southern Region. BACK: SRH News
