Tornadoes
Tornadoes are violent and rapidly rotating columns of air that form inside thunderstorms. They connect with the ground, via a funnel, to the cloud. Tornadoes typically last only a few minutes, but sometimes they can continue for more than an hour. They can also travel short distances (0.5 miles), but some can track upwards of 100 miles.
Since 1950, there have been more than 3,100 tornadoes recorded in Mississippi. Seven EF/F-5 (winds estimated over 200 mph) have been observed in the state. The deadliest tornado on record occurred in March 1966, the Candlestick Park tornado. It was responsible for over 50 fatalities and over 500 injuries as it moved through the southern limits of Jackson, MS.
Source: Wikipedia
Did You Know?
On April 27, 2011, a tornado outbreak across the Southeast United States impacted the state, including two EF5s. One of the EF5 tornadoes touched down northeast of Philadelphia, MS. The tornado scoured the ground to a depth of two feet in some places and ripped up sections of an asphalt road. The other EF5 tornado moved through Smithville, MS, with peak winds estimated at 205 mph. These were the first rated F/EF5 tornadoes in the state since March 3, 1966.