Tornado Confirmed...
* The NWS has assigned a preliminary rating of F2 to the tornado that struck the Blackwater community. I have no new information about anyone who was injured - watch tonight at 5,6, and 10 and the crew will tell you the latest.
* BAD Forecast: I really didn't see this one coming. I didn't miss it for lack of trying, so what went wrong? To get severe weather and especially tornadoes, you need enough instability and enough shear. Last night, there was more than ample shear, but I believed the instability was too low to create problems. I was wrong. I don't like being wrong at all, but it has happened before and will happen again in this business.
If you happen to read this or watch us on TV and expect us to
never miss, stop wasting your time. Find a different channel or different website, or perhaps pick up a new hobby, because it's not going to happen.
We strive to be right, it's what weather forecasters want more than anything. But, this is an inexact science, and it is inevitable that we will be wrong. There aren't many strangers to those who were injured who take the news harder than I do, and they'll be in my thoughts through the next few weeks. And, before I get back to weather discussion, a big thanks to those who sent words of encouragement. A kind word goes a long way...
* Back to Weather: The big story tonight will be dense fog - lasting into tomorrow morning. Be careful if you are out on the roads. Rain will return tomorrow night and Sunday, and there could be some thunderstorms involved. We'll be watching...
Latest from Blackwater...
* We are talking with Sheriff Sam Tisdale on Good Morning Meridian -- he has informed us that a baby was airlifted to Jackson...
* Will let you know when I hear something...
Blackwater Update
* Here is the latest information we have from Kemper County...
9 people have been hospitalized
3 of those have serious injuries
At least 5 homes have been completely destroyed
* We have reporters in Kemper County at this time. They are working on getting information back to the station, so be sure to watch Good Morning Meridian.
Severe Weather Threat Ends...
* The threat of severe weather in our area has ended. That is good news. A quick point: there has been no official determination of what caused this damage. It could have been a tornado, it could have been very powerful wind gusts. We'll know that in a day or two, after the NWS sends a survey team out to evaluate the damage. Here is a summary of what we know at this point regarding damage and injuries:
Sheriff Sam Tisdale has confirmed damage in the Kemper County community of Blackwater. As best as we know, Blackwater was the hardest hit community in our area.
• We do not yet officially know if this was a tornado or straight-line wind damage.
• Update…Still unknown number of total injuries…2 signficant injuries as of right now and possibly a few people missing. 2 to 4 homes destroyed. Source: NWS
• Emergency response personnel have had a hard time reaching those who need help.
Newton County EMA Director Gary Galloway has confirmed damage in the Conehatta and Prospect areas.
• Chicken houses were destroyed.
• At one point, there was a person trapped in a home. That person was rescued, no word on any injuries.* We will most likely have more on the storms and their impact throughout the day, beginning at 6:00 with Good Morning Meridian. We will likely have a complete and thorough report tonight at 5,6, and 10, but all of that is for the News department to decide.
* This has certainly been an interesting and challenging night. This event was not forecast well at all (my fault), our equipment and data structure had some problems, and a skeleton night staff made for more work than could be done. I will write a complete post later in the day (sometime after noon, most likely) detailing the "behind the scenes" of the night...Should be an interesting read.
Need Help in Blackwater
* The Blackwater community has apparently suffered some fairly substantial damage. The Sheriff's office has confirmed the damage, and also confirmed that responders are having a difficult time reaching people who need to be helped. So, if you are a trained emergency responder with the proper equipment, your help is sorely needed.
* To reach Blackwater: go north on Highway 39 from Meridian...You'll go through Daleville, cross into Kemper County, and Blackwater will be the next community you find. From Dekalb, simply go south on Highway 39 until you reach Blackwater.
* More Info: We've received preliminary reports of at least one injury (a broken leg) and some people missing in Blackwater.
* GOOD News: The person who was trapped in her home in the Conehatta/Prospect area has apparently been rescued.
New Warnings...
* Tornado Warnings are now in effect for Noxubee, Pickens, Sumter, and Greene counties...
* Hearing reputable reports of damage in the Blackwater community...We will know more when the sun rises and the damage can be assessed.
* Still battling serious communication issues here at the WTOK facility. The only way I am able to update the weather blog is by accessing the internet via our weather graphics' computer's satellite-based internet connection.
Noxubee County Tornado Warning...
* We have a Tornado Warning for Noxubee County...If you live in Brooksville, Macon, or any other community in Noxubee County, take cover.
* BLACKWATER: We are getting reports of damage in the Blackwater community in Kemper County...
Damage Report
* Hearing word of some damage in the Conehatta-Prospect area...People trapped, roads blocked...
* About to go on air with an update...
Update
* Still having massive equipment and internet access issues...Station took a power surge. Working to remedy the problem.
* Here's what we can tell you...Severe T-Storm Warning is in effect for Kemper County (until 2:30 AM)...
Warnings Update...
* Forgive our equipment and data problems...Internet access is spotty right now, and our warning map is not properly updating...I'm working to correct the problem.
* New Severe T-Storm Warning for Lauderdale Co...This storm had winds that I would estimate as 40-45mph as it moved through downtown Meridian...It's tricky to estimate wind speed in the dark, but windows were whistling, and a nearby business' vinyl awning was really taking a beating. Winds will be a big problem in these storms.
Tornado Warning - Neshoba County
* NWS has upgraded the severe t-storm warning to a Tornado Warning for Neshoba County...
* This potential tornado will pass very close to the city of Philadelphia...Be sure to be in a safe place if you live in Philadelphia...
Severe T-Storm Warning -- Neshoba County
* NWS has issued a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Neshoba County...
The warning runs until 1:45 AM, and will affect almost all of Neshoba County through the next hour...
The threat with this storm is wind damage due to strong wind gusts embedded within this thunderstorm.
Update: Jasper County
* The storm that has prompted the Tornado Warning for Jasper County is showing a decent radar signature of rotation near Heidelberg. If you live in Heidelberg, go ahead and get to your safe place - lowest floor of your home, interior bathroom, hallway, or closet...
* Still watching...
Severe T-Storm Warning -- Newton County
*
National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Newton County...The warning runs until 1:15 AM...The worst of this storm will affect western Newton County...
The threat from this storm is damaging wind gusts. The process by which hail forms depends on having extremely cold air aloft, and the air aloft today is not that cold. So, hail isn't a big concern.
Tornado Warning - Jasper and Jones
* NWS has issued a
Tornado Warning for Jasper and Jones Counties...This is primarily for northern Jones and Jasper counties...
Warning runs until 1:30 AM...
If you live in Jasper or northern Jones county, please go to the lowest floor of your home...A basement works best, but if you don't have one of those, go to an interior bathroom, hallway or closet.
Severe T-Storm Warning -- Smith County
* NWS has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Smith County...It runs until 1:00 AM.
Click
HERE for the text of the warning...
This line of storms will affect almost all of Smith County through the next hour or so. Gusty winds are the primary threat within the band of storms...
Watch Extended Northward...
The Tornado Watch mentioned in the previous post has been extended farther north. It now includes every Mississippi county in our viewing area EXCEPT Winston and Noxubee.
It's still my belief that the tornado threat tonight is confined to the area south of U.S. Highway 98...But, we always try to expect the unexpected with situations such as these. The watch runs until 4:00 AM.
We'll be watching...
Tornado Watch...
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a
Tornado Watch for parts of our area until 4:00 AM. This watch includes the following counties in our area:
MISSISSIPPI
Smith
Jasper
Clarke
Jones
Wayne
ALABAMA
Choctaw
Clarke
Washington
It is my opinion that the primary threat of severe weather will remain closer to the Gulf coast tonight. But, as we well know, severe weather can be a rapidly changing challenge.
If you live in the counties above, be aware of the weather tonight. Ideally, you won't have to worry about it because you'll already have a NOAA Weather Radio. Those will wake you up in the event of a warning issued for your county.
