WALTHALL COUNTY, Miss. — March 15, 2025 — A rare and destructive weather event stunned residents of Walthall County, Mississippi, today as radar data confirmed that two separate, large tornadoes tore through nearly identical paths just 44 minutes apart. The National Weather Service (NWS) described the phenomenon as "exceptionally unusual," underscoring the severity of an already perilous storm system battering the Deep South.
The first tornado touched down shortly before 1:00 p.m. CDT, cutting a swath of destruction through the northwestern part of Walthall County. Described by meteorologists as a "massive and life-threatening" twister, it moved at an estimated speed of 50 miles per hour, leaving homes shattered, trees uprooted, and power lines toppled in its wake. Emergency crews barely had time to respond when a second, equally formidable tornado struck at approximately 1:44 p.m., retracing much of the same ground with devastating precision.
"It’s like nature hit the replay button," said NWS Jackson meteorologist Dr. Elena Carter. "Two significant tornadoes following such a similar trajectory in such a short time frame is a rare occurrence. It compounds the danger and complicates response efforts significantly."
Local authorities reported widespread damage along Highway 98 south of Tylertown, with images circulating online showing a landscape littered with debris. “Absolute destruction,” tweeted storm chaser Ashton Champion, accompanying a photo of mangled structures and scattered wreckage. Power outages surged across the county, with over 17,000 customers statewide left in the dark by mid-afternoon, according to PowerOutage.US.
Walthall County Sheriff Kyle Breland urged residents to remain sheltered as emergency teams scrambled to assess the toll. “We’re dealing with back-to-back hits here,” Breland said in a brief statement. “Our priority is getting to those who need help, but it’s a chaotic scene.” While no fatalities have been confirmed at this hour, reports of injuries are emerging, and officials fear the number could rise as search-and-rescue operations continue.
The twin tornadoes are part of a broader outbreak hammering Mississippi and neighboring states, with the NWS issuing a Tornado Emergency earlier today—the agency’s highest alert level—for Walthall and surrounding areas. Forecasters had warned of “long-track, violent tornadoes” as a powerful storm system swept across the region, fueled by warm, moist air clashing with a potent cold front.
Residents like Maryann Tillman, who sheltered in her basement as both storms roared overhead, described the experience as surreal. “The first one shook the house so bad I thought it was over,” she told reporters. “Then to hear that sound again not even an hour later—it’s something I’ll never forget.”
The NWS has dispatched survey teams to evaluate the tornadoes’ strength and exact paths, though preliminary estimates suggest both could rank as EF-3 or higher, with winds exceeding 136 miles per hour. If confirmed, this would mark one of the most intense weather events in Walthall County’s history, a region already classified as a “very high risk” area for tornadoes based on historical data.
Governor Tate Reeves, who earlier today addressed injuries from overnight storms in Grenada County, pledged full state support. “Mississippi is no stranger to severe weather, but this double strike is a tough blow,” he said. “We’re mobilizing resources to assist Walthall County and all affected areas.” 17GEN4.com
Comments