Reports indicated three tornadoes ripped through JDC
Published 10:35 am Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight
A total of three tornadoes ripped through Jefferson Davis County March 15 as storms crippled the south.
The first tornado is the largest one of the three and it originated in Tylertown. The storm traveled 65 miles and was an EF-4. As it traveled through Jefferson Davis County, it dropped to an EF-3. This is the deadly tornado that killed two residents in the Greens Creek community and caused destruction through the Carson area. It then traveled into Covington County before it dissipated.
The second tornado also started in Tylertown, but it lifted over Marion County before it touched back down and caused heavy damage just north of Bassfield in the Santee area. This storm was an EF-1 in Jefferson Davis County, but its strength increased to an EF-2 as it entered Covington County.
The third tornado was an EF-2 and originated in Northeast Marion County. It crossed Jefferson Davis County causing damage in the Melba community. This tornado continued into Covington County and killed one person in Seminary.
Three of the county’s five districts sustained heavy damage.
“On behalf of myself and the Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors, we want to thank everyone that has assisted in any manner,” said Jefferson Davis County Emergency Management Director Jocelyn Ragsdale. “We could not have made it through the last few days without the many volunteers,” she said.
A central command post is currently being set up at Granby Fire Department for those affected by the storms.
“Please continue to keep our county in your prayers as we have suffered great loss,” said District 2 Supervisor Ricky Barrett. “We are receiving some help now, but this healing process is going to take a long time and our people are going to need help for months to come,” he said.
Jefferson Davis County is expecting and anxiously awaiting a federal declaration of federal emergency assistance for the removal of storm debris generated by the March 15 tornadoes according to county engineer Les Dungan.
If the declaration is received, eligible hazardous debris, delivered to the street by the landowner, will be removed.
In order for to debris to be eligible for removal, it must be taken from close proximity to an occupied residence or driveway accessing the occupied residence and moved to the edge of the public road right of way.
