Hattiesburg tornado rated an EF-4 by NWS survey team

A National Weather Service (NWS) survey team out of Jackson, MS, surveying the damage on Monday afternoon from Sunday night's tornado in Hattiesburg rated the twister an EF-4 with maximum winds of 170 mph. This rating was based on the most severe damage found near Oak Grove in Lamar county.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency received reports of damage from seven counties as a result of severe weather that moved across the state on Sunday evening. Governor Phil Bryant declared a State of Emergency for all counties affected, which allows for the use of state resources and assets to support local governments in their response efforts.

According to the storm survey released by NWS officials, an approaching cold front, an unusually high amount of wind shear, and sufficient instability resulted in an outbreak of severe thunderstorms across portions of the lower Deep South, including the strong and long-track tornado which moved through the Hattiesburg area.

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The EF-4 Hattiesburg tornado caused extensive damage in the city, with the most intense damage having occurred around the Oak Grove High School and to a housing area just southwest of that location. A well built brick home was leveled with other surrounding data supported the low end EF-4 rating. There was also significant damage on the campus of The University of Southern Mississippi. Multiple other locations in West Hattiesburg and across the city were rated in the EF-3 range. The final damage path was estimated at 20 miles with further investigation of the track continuing.

No fatalities were reported from this tornado, but 82 people were injured and taken to local hospitals.

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Source: http://www.examiner.com/list/hattiesburg-tornado-rated-an-ef-4-by-nws-survey-team?cid=rss

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