Over the years, Mississippi has seen its fair share of disasters. But in 2015, the state experienced a tornado outbreak that was one of the worst natural disasters in recent history. We recently came across some drone footage that shows the heartbreaking destruction caused by the tornadoes. Read on to learn about the storm system and the devastation left in its wake.
On the evening of December 23, 2015, the merriment of the holiday season came to a screeching halt as a significant tornado outbreak hit the Midwest and the South.
National Environmental Visualization Laboratory, NASA/Wikimedia
According to the National Weather Service, “a strong system with record warm temperatures along with impressive upper level wind fields provided the ingredients to produce five tornadoes.”
Bryan C. W./Wikimedia
Several states were affected, but Mississippi was hit the hardest.
weather.gov
A large EF3 tornado with winds of 160 mph was the first to hit Mississippi. It touched down in Clarksdale and spread across four counties. The violent storm killed two people, snapped trees like twigs, and destroyed more than a dozen homes.
weather.gov
That tornado soon dissipated, but the outbreak in Mississippi was far from over. A second tornado — a violent EF4 — formed just east of Como.
weather.gov
Six counties were affected by the second twister. The towns of Holly Springs and Ashland saw some of the worst damage. In addition to several fatalities, the tornado leveled homes and scoured pavement from the roads.
Bryan C. W./Wikimedia
Get a closer look at the tornado’s aftermath in the video below.
National Environmental Visualization Laboratory, NASA/Wikimedia
Bryan C. W./Wikimedia
weather.gov
So, do you remember these tornadoes? Was your hometown affected? Have a specific story to share? Tell us in the comments section.
This isn’t the only time the state’s suffered severe destruction from a tornado. Learn about another terrifying twister here.
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