Event narrative (NOAA)
The initial tornado touchdown occurred 1.5 miles west of the Tupelo Regional Airport. The tornado traveled northeast across Northern Lee County moving just north of the Tupelo Regional Airport. The tornado reached its maximum intensity as it hit the Furniture Market Mississippi building on Coley Road and Chesterville Road. The tornado continued to produce significant damage on North Gloster Road near the Barnes Crossing Mall. The tornado continued moving northeast and crossed U.S. Highway 45 where it struck a farm supply store. Several cars were damaged by flying debris, tractor trailers were overturned and part of the supply store roof was torn off. Next to the farm supply store, a marine and outdoor store was also hit where several boats were damaged and the roof was partially torn off.
Other notable tornado events in Mississippi
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.